Nearly 300 passengers stuck aboard P&O ferry after engine room fire
The ferry, which was travelling from Hull to Rotterdam, lost power and became stranded in the River Humber.
Wednesday 21 October 2020 16:32, UK
Nearly 300 passengers and crew are stranded aboard a ferry which caught fire in the engine room yesterday evening.
However, the coastguard said passenger were safe, with the P&O Pride of Hull expected to return to port "as soon as possible" after it lost power.
The ferry, which was travelling from Hull to Rotterdam, set sail at 8.30pm and was expected to arrive in Rotterdam this morning, but did not make it past the Humber estuary.
The coastguard, which was informed of the incident at about 9pm yesterday, said the ferry was anchored in the River Humber.
An Associated British Ports (ABP) spokesperson said: "ABP responded last night to an incident of a fire in the engine room on the P&O vessel the Pride of Hull.
"We continue to liaise with and support the ship and will be assisting in her safe return to the Port of Hull as soon as possible."
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard received a call from Humber Vessel Traffic Service just before nine last night, reporting the Pride of Hull had lost power and smoke had been found in the engine room.
"The ferry is currently at anchor in the River Humber. She was outbound to Rotterdam with 264 passengers and crew on board when she lost power.
"All passengers and crew are safe and power remains on decks.
"Two tugs were originally sent along with the Humber RNLI lifeboat. One tug remains with the vessel."
A P&O Ferries spokesperson said: "Last night there was a fire which was safely extinguished by the ship's crew in one of the engine rooms of the Pride of Hull.
"There were no injuries and at no point was any passenger in danger.
"As a precaution, the ship will return to the berth in Hull and the damage will be assessed today."