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Category: England

St Faith

St Faith

St Faith
Photo: portsmouth.co.uk

On January 19, the 77 meter long,  574 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry St Faith caught fire was sailing between Portsmouth to Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight with 52 passengers and 13 crew.  While in the middle of the Solent, a fire broke out on deck near the bridge. The fire was quickly extinguished by the crew while passengers were escorted safely to the lounge.

The St Faith was able to proceed under her own power to Fishbourne where fire fighters were waiting.  No injuries reported.

Reports state the fire may have started in an air conditioning unit. The ferry was taken out of service and  later returned to Portsmouth.  Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Fluvius Tamar

Fluvius Tamar

Fluvius Tamar

The 90 meter long, 4200 dwt cargo vessel Fluvius Tamar sank in the North Sea off the coast of Ramsgate, England. The Fluvius Tamar was en route from Eemshaven, Netherlands with 3,800 tonnes of magnesium oxide bound for Pasajes, Spain. As the vessel passed some 30 miles off the coast, the Fluvius Tamar ran into difficulty. The cargo vessel was in strong northwesterly gale when it began to take on water. The vessel sent out a distress call that it was flooding rapidly and needed assistance.

Authorities launched rescue helicopters from Lydd and Lee-on-Solent along with a RNLI lifeboat from Ramsgate while another helicopter from the Netherlands join in the search and rescue operation.

The seven crew on the Fluvius Tamar had to jump overboard as the vessel sank before they were able to reach the life rafts.  Four crew were pulled from the water by the 180 meter long, 11585 dwt ro-ro cargo vessel Norstream. The Norstream had responded to the distress call and arrived on scene first. Three other crewmen from the Fluvius Tamar were hoisted to safety by rescue helicopters.

The vessel now rests in 40 meters of water. Authorities report some pollution in the water.

Norstream
The ro-ro cargo vessel Norstream rescued 4 crew