According to a BBC report, the crew of a Royal Navy frigate has rescued 27 people from a burning container ship.
What happened?
On February 10, the frigate HMS Argyll was returning home to Plymouth, Devon when she was called to assist Grande America 150 miles off the French coast. The Argyll is on the final leg of a nine-month trip to the Asia-Pacific region.
Two hundred sailors and Royal Marines are onboard and due home to Devonport in Plymouth on Friday.
The ship’s cargo of containers and cars had caught fire forcing its crew to abandon ship and board a lifeboat that was then damaged in rough conditions.
Crew rescued
The Royal Navy successfully rescued 27 crew members onboard the vessel in a rescue operation that lasted eight hours. The crew was taken to the French port of Brest. Some needed hospital treatment, but there were no life-threatening injuries.
Royal Navy praised
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson praised the Royal Navy, “I commend her crew. HMS Argyll’s swift and selfless response to a very dangerous situation in difficult conditions undoubtedly saved 27 lives. I commend her crew“.
Lt Cdr Dave Tetchner, the Argyll’s Weapon Engineer Officer, said: “The lifeboat was bobbing around like a cork in a bathtub. It was pretty awful for them – they’d had to fight a fire in dreadful seas. Every one of them suffered smoke inhalation. Then they faced the prospect of abandoning ship and then their lifeboat failed. It was pretty awful all around and they were shocked“.
Commanding Officer of the Argyll, Cdr Toby Shaughnessy, said: “Without a doubt, this was a near-run thing. The conditions were on the limit for recovery and this could just as easily been a different result. It was an exceptional team effort and there’s a great feeling on board after a successful result – everyone was saved“.
Investigation initiated
The port officials have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and decided on the further course of action.
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Source: BBC
