Friday, 12 Jan 2007 09:17
Non-essential staff have been evacuated from the Murdoch gas platform
A 4,500 tonne cargo ship floating in the North Sea has narrowly missed a collision with two gas platforms.
The vessel, called the Vindo, was left floating on a collision course with the Murdoch gas platform last night after its engine failed. Personnel on the platform were evacuated but the collision was averted after its engines were restarted.
A second collision with the Caister platform was also avoided after the engines failed for a second time. According to the Humber Coastguard, the cargo ship avoided the platform by 700 yards (630 metres).
No other platforms currently stand in the way of the drifting vessel, which is carrying 4,200 tonnes of manure. A tugboat is expected to reach the Vindo at 09:00 GMT today to tow it to shore for repairs.
Workers evacuated from the Murdoch platform are expected to return to work today and production is set to resume.
The vessel broke down in bad weather with storm force ten winds aggravating the situation. The mayday from the Vindo was sent to nearby vessels. Although 4,500 tonnes represents a small vessel, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency had put its pollution team on alert for a possible collision.