Everything we know on Verity sinking as search stopped with crew still missing
The search for four missing crew members of a sunken British cargo ship in the North Sea has been called off after more than 24 hours.
The Verity bulk carrier maritime - carrying seven people - collided with another vessel around 5am on Tuesday while sailing towards Bremen, Germany, having headed off from Immingham on the Humber coast. One person was confirmed dead while a further two were rescued alive, with divers scouring the water for four further missing persons who it was hoped could still be alive trapped inside the vessel which had sunk to the sea bed.
The Verity struck with the Bahamas-flagged cargo vessel Polesie, which had 22 crew on board at the time, though the latter ship was able to stagger back to port - while nearby vessels, including a P&O cruise full of holidaymakers, joined the search. Officials said that the water temperature at the time of the collision was about 12C, at which level people can survive for about 20 hours.
Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said the entire surrounding sea area was searched again overnight without results, before the mission was eventually called off. It added that search efforts on the surface won't be resumed today but the emergency command will consider "what measures can be taken around the site of the accident in the course of the day".
What do we know about the crash?
A search light on the P&O ship the Iona scanning the water (PA)It is unclear why specifically the Verity and fellow cargo vessel the Polesie crashed - with investigations continuing. The collision occurred in the North Sea at around 5am local time on Tuesday around 14 miles south-west of the island of Helgoland.
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The Polesie was able to reach the German port of Cuxhaven under its own steam. The Verity sunk to the seabed. Marine Traffic GPS footage appears to show the Polesie veering left before colliding with the Verity.
It then shows the Polesie continuing forward before turning around and appearing to steer back over the spot where it hit the British ship. Marine Traffic then showed the Polesie near the collision site, with its position updating frequently, but the Verity stopped sending out a signal.
What were the weather and sea conditions like?
It’s thought the weather conditions in the North Sea at the time of the crash were fairly foggy. It has been reported that the Polesie was at or close to sea speed when the situation developed, though the Verity was traveling at reduced speed.
According to data, the wind was a fresh breeze coming off the shore, with a possible swell coming from the south west, so it is unclear if the sea conditions contributed to the collision. However, some reports suggest the conditions worsened as the search went on. The Sun reports, emergency services faced brutal 30mph winds, 10ft waves as well as fog as they hunted for the missing people in temperatures as low as 11C.
What happened during the search?
A view of the search for the missing seamen of the freighter 'Verity' from the island Helgoland (AP)German authorities said on Wednesday morning that the search had been called off a day after the crash in the North Sea. One person had already been confirmed dead while a further two were rescued alive, with divers searching the water for the four missing who it was initially hoped may be alive and trapped in the vessel on the sea bed.
Seven people were on board the ship at the time, which was heading from Immingham on the Humber coast towards Bremen, Germany. Nearby boats including a PandO cruise helped with the search efforts on Tuesday. Coast guard officials say the surrounding sea water had been searched while a team was dispatched to the sea bed to check for signs of life in the sunken boat, but sadly couldn't find anything.
Officials said that the water temperature at the time of the collision was about 12C, which experience shows that people can survive for about 20 hours. Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said the entire surrounding sea area was searched again through the night without results, before the mission was eventually called off.
It was feared the missing people were trapped in the hull, and rescuers said they are doing "everything humanly possible" to save them. Dr Robby Renner, head of the accident command said previously: "We haven't found the missing people yet. Therefore we have to assume that they can still be in the ship. Our rescue operation is in full swing. We are doing everything humanly possible to save them. We don't stop even when it gets dark."
What do we know about those who died, were rescued or are missing?
The cargo ship "Polesie" is guided into the harbour of Cuxhaven (NEWS5/AFP via Getty Images)The names of the crew member who was recovered dead from the water, as well as those who were rescued alive or are still missing, have not been released.
Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said during the search: "Two people were rescued during the search for the shipwrecked people of the freighter VERITY in the German Bight. Another man could only be rescued dead.
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"One rescued person has already been taken to a hospital on land, the other rescued person was brought on board the sea rescue cruiser of the German Sea Rescue Society ((DGzRS)) HERMANN MARWEDE; he is now on the way to a hospital. There were a total of seven people on board the VARITY. Four people are still missing and the search for the missing people is ongoing."
How did the P&O cruise ship get involved?
The Polesie had 22 people onboard (NEWS5/AFP via Getty Images)The P&O cruise ship Iona joined several vessels in the search and one passenger on board claimed that three bodies had been picked up. The liner left Southampton three days ago for Hamburg, Rotterdam and Bruges in Belgium. Also in the rescue mission were the vessels 'Hermann Marwede' and 'Bernhard Gruben'. The Iona has a doctor and medical assistance on board while paramedics are also on board rescue helicopters.
Passenger Gary Corbin wrote on Facebook: "Two freighters have collided close by us. Iona has picked up 3 bodies. There are helicopters and rescue ships by us. We are involved in the search and rescue operation Not moving at moment." Another holidaymaker Clive Baker said on Facebook: "Got woken by captain's announcement at 5am this morning that we were pausing to assist if required. Several missing by the sounds of it."
Ian Hardman said he was on the Iona and witnessed "extremely sad scenes". He said: "The crew have displayed impeccable professionalism throughout the incident. My thoughts and prayers are with those lost at sea and for their families."
Cathering Cox said her 81-year-old mother was onboard the Iona. She wrote on Twitter : "My Mum and daughter are also on board. I received a call from them this morning to tell me about it. Desperately sad. My Mum has been told by the crew that the ship won't make Rotterdam until tomorrow night now."
A P&O Cruises spokesperson told The Mirror: "PandO Cruises Iona is currently involved in a search and rescue operation off the coast of Germany. The incident is ongoing and Iona's cooperation complies with international maritime law as well as being consistent with the company's moral and legal obligations. Iona is scheduled to be at sea today and this event should have no impact upon tomorrow's scheduled call to Rotterdam or the onward itinerary."
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