Burning oil tanker in the North Sea: Now the Germans are coming to the rescue!

By Kilian Genius

Wilhelmshaven/London - Help is on the way! Due to the burning oil tanker in the North Sea near the British coast, the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies has sent a German multi-purpose vessel to assist.

Multi-purpose vessel "Mellum" is on its way to the scene of the accident. (archive picture)
Multi-purpose vessel "Mellum" is on its way to the scene of the accident. (archive picture)  © Ingo Wagner/dpa

The Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration's "Mellum" is due to arrive at midday on Tuesday, according to the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies.

The multi-purpose vessel's home port is Wilhelmshaven. The "Mellum" can take on different roles and is equipped with technology for firefighting and for collecting oil, among other things. Around 20 people are on board.

A DO 228 aircraft is also on standby. It is also stationed in Lower Saxony and is referred to by the Bundeswehr as an "oil hunter" because it can use powerful cameras and sensors to help find pollutants in the water.

At the moment, however, the weather conditions on site do not allow the aircraft to be deployed in any meaningful way, according to the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies. If necessary, it should take off for England on Tuesday morning.

On Monday evening, "Mellum" was at the height of the West Frisian Islands. The red circle shows the scene of the accident.
On Monday evening, "Mellum" was at the height of the West Frisian Islands. The red circle shows the scene of the accident.  © Screenshot/vesselfinder.com
Two ships - including an oil tanker - collided off the coast of East Yorkshire.
Two ships - including an oil tanker - collided off the coast of East Yorkshire.  © Screenshot: X

According to the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, the support is provided within the framework of the Convention on Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the North Sea by Oil and Other Harmful Substances, better known as the Bonn Convention.