Dry CargoEurope

Cargo ship on fire off England’s east coast

Fire broke out today onboard the Strahlmann-owned singledecker general cargo ship Elbetor while the vessel was underway off the east coast of England, en route to Rotterdam with a cargo of grain.

The fire was extinguished this afternoon and the vessel’s seven crew were brought to shore by a RNLI lifeboat. No injuries were reported.

The blaze reportedly broke out in the vessel’s accommodation block early this morning while the ship was around five miles off Cromer, Norfolk. Elbetor sent out a mayday message at 05.20hrs.

Humberside Fire and Rescue dispatched a team of six firefighters, who flew to the scene in a helicopter. Two coastguard helicopters, a lifeboat and two other ships also attended to the stricken ship.

Local press reports say the vessel’s accommodation is heavily smoke damaged, but the vessel will head to Great Yarmouth under its own power.

Holly Birkett

Holly is Splash's Online Editor and correspondent for the UK and Mediterranean. She has been a maritime journalist since 2010, and has written for and edited several trade publications. She is currently studying for membership of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. In 2013, Holly won the Seahorse Club's Social Media Journalist of the Year award. She is currently based in London.
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