Crew had the correct lifesaving equipment
Three crewmen have been rescued offLowestoftthis afternoon after their vessel caught fire in the North Sea.
Humber Coastguard coordinated the rescue operation after the crew abandoned theECCTopaz 10 nautical miles east of the town.
The vessel had been heading out to service a windfarm when the blaze struck just before1pm.The crew, who were wearing lifejackets, managed to get into aliferaft while they waited to be rescued by the Search and Rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham.
The crew were winched to safety and airlifted toJamesPagetUniversityHospitalat Great Yarmouth as a precaution. They aren’t believed to have suffered any serious injuries.
The Dutch Coastguard aircraft, which was in the area at the time, remained on standby throughout the rescue operation and Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat also attended.
The fuel and oil on board theECCTopaz is believed to have burnt off during the blaze before the vessel sank.
Graham Dawson, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said:
“The fire was quite severe and the crew had no option but to abandon the vessel.
“The crew had the correct lifesaving equipment and rescue resources were quickly on scene.”
Source: UK MCA
