Coaster sinks in North Sea after collision with bulk carrier

According to BBC, "One person has died and four others are missing after two cargo ships collided off Germany's North Sea coast."

The 3,360dwt general cargo ship, Verity, has sunk about 14 miles off the island of Helgoland, Germany, following a collision with the handysize bulk carrier, Polesie, at about 0500 this morning. The accident was confirmed by Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies.

My mid-morning, several crew from the Verity were still missing although one person had been rescued from the water and was receiving medical treatment. All 22 crew on board the Polesie were safe, according to reports.

The 91m-long Verity, flying the Isle of Man flag, had been on a voyage from Bremen to Immingham. The larger 2009-built Polesie, 190m long, was bound for La Coruña from Hamburg.

Rescue efforts were continuing through the morning but were hampered by 3-4m waves and winds of up to 50 kilometres per hour. The temperature of the sea in the region at this time of year is only about 10-12°C.

A number of ships have joined in the search for the missing seafarers. They include the P&O cruise vessel, Iona, German ships Hermann Marwede and Berhard Gruben, two rescue cruisers, a tug, a pilot boat, a police patrol boat, and a helicopter.

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