Broken down vessel drifting in the North Sea

Humber Coastguard are currently co-ordinating assistance to the 2004 built, 4,516 ton general motor vessel `Vindo flagged to Antigua and Barbuda, which broke down earlier this afternoon in very poor weather, 9 miles from the Murdoch gas platform in the North Sea and is currently drifting in the rigs direction.

The vessel is carrying 4,200 tons of fertiliser and has 9 crew on board. The vessel has lowered its anchor and the rate of drift has slowed to about 1 knot. No crew have been airlifted from the `Vindo.

The stand by vessel `Putford Viking is keeping a close watch on the situation locally whilst the crew of the vessel attempt to fix their engineering problems.

In consultation with the oil installation manager, 10 non essential personnel are currently being gathered together before being flown from the platform by use of a RAF rescue helicopter from Leconfield. They are being taken to a nearby rig (ENSCO 101) and out of any potential danger. The helicopter is now returning to the Murdoch platform for a further 10 personnel who will be airlifted to the ENSCO 70 platform, leaving 10 essential personnel on board the Murdoch rig.

Humber Coastguard have also initiated a mayday signal locally to alert other vessels to the situation and who may be able to assist the `Vindo. Winds locally are passing 55 knots (storm force 10) which are making conditions very difficult. The Agencys counter pollution team has also been put on alert.