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Probe into collision between ferry and oil rig
AN investigation is under way today after a 30,000-tonne passenger ferry crashed into a gigantic oil platform on the Tyne in 60mph winds.
An emergency maritime operation was launched just after 1.30pm yesterday after the DFDS Seaways vessel King of Scandinavia slipped its birth at Northumbrian Quay.
Several ropes tethering the gigantic passenger ferry snapped during the high winds, causing it to break free and drift towards the south side of the Tyne.
The captain was forced to drop his anchor to stop the ferry, which was on a collision course towards the platform with people on board.
The Northern Producer is currently being worked on at McNulty's shipyard in Commercial Road, South Shields.
Three tug boats were scrambled by the Port of Tyne authority to hold the ship back as ferocious winds battered the ferry.
The ship was due to set sail to Amsterdam, in Holland, at 5.30pm yesterday.
Earlier this week, the King of Scandinavia was stranded in a dock in the Netherlands after an emergency alarm was found to be faulty.
Geoff Ford, owner of Ford Components, was leaving work at 2.30pm when he witnessed the ongoing drama.
He said: "When I saw the King of Scandinavia it was already right across the river, and tug boats were struggling to control it.
"There was a significant gouge out of the side of the ship, but I can't be certain what it actually hit."
Steve Keyworth, managing director of McNulty's Shipyard, said: "We have employees who live and work on the oil platform, so there would have been people on it when the ferry hit."
A spokesman for DFDS Seaways said: "The King of Scandinavia slipped its moorings and drifted towards the middle of the river due to the high winds.
"Tugs were used to ease it away from any danger and the captain was on the bridge throughout, to oversee the operation."
Peter Darrant, operational director at the Customs House, said: "I didn't see it but I heard an almighty bang and ran to the window.
"It looked like the ferry had hit an oil rig and three tugs were struggling to control it and eventually got it away from the rig."
Taxi driver Richard Curtis, 37, from South Shields, said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw the damage to the side of the ship, it was a long gash in the metal.
"I'm surprised a hole wasn't torn in the ship when it hit this side of the river, because the wind was so forceful and it's such a large vessel."
John Crummie, UK Managing Director for DFDS Seaways, said: "Due to exceptionally adverse weather conditions, strong winds enabled King of Scandinavia to slip its mooring line and berth, causing the vessel to collide with a decommissioned oil rig.
"No passengers were on board at the time, and no crew members were injured.
"Due to minor damage to one side of the ship and the repair work required, sailings from Newcastle to IJmuiden yesterday and sailings from IJmuiden to Newcastle today were cancelled."
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Weather for South Shields
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
