The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) has issued a statement following an incident in Hull dock where a cargo ship caught fire.
Humberside Fire and Rescue was called to Albert Dock on Friday morning after a fire started in a cargo hold containing around 3,500 tonnes of scrap metal.
Firefighters trained in marine response were involved in the operation and the fire was extinguished on Saturday morning.
Stuart Rivers, CEO of the MNWB which is the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and fishing fleets, commented:
“While it’s a sobering reminder that seafarers face serious risks, even when moored in port, we commend Humberside Fire and Rescue, the port’s Control Room team and the crew of the Altay.”
“While It’s believed all seafarers on board have been accounted for, we will be in talks with our members, and those on the frontline, to see if any support can be offered in the wake of this fire.”
The incident comes just months after an oil tanker and cargo ship collided in the North Sea.
In its capacity as National Seafarers’ Welfare Board, The MNWB operates 15 Port Welfare Committees (PWCs) across the UK and a National Seafarers’ Welfare Board in Gibraltar which act as an information, communication and networking channel between local members and the Board.
The committees are made up of port authorities, maritime charities, ship owners, trade unions and government representatives.
One of the committees, the Humber PWC, took place just two weeks ago in Hull Seafarers’ Centre.
