Blaze Erupts on Cargo Ship Near Sussex Coast

Eastbourne RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Esme Anderson was launched in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a 33,000-ton cargo vessel issued a Mayday distress call reporting an engine fire. The dramatic call came at 5:21am on Wednesday, 12 November, when the roll-on/roll-off ship — located around 11 miles south-east of Eastbourne — reported an onboard […]

Eastbourne RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Esme Anderson was launched in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a 33,000-ton cargo vessel issued a Mayday distress call reporting an engine fire.

The dramatic call came at 5:21am on Wednesday, 12 November, when the roll-on/roll-off ship — located around 11 miles south-east of Eastbourne — reported an onboard engine fire and a total loss of power.

RNLI volunteers launched into moderate seas and force five winds, making best speed toward the vessel.

By the time the Esme Anderson reached the scene, the ship’s crew had successfully extinguished the fire, but the vessel was left adrift and without engine power.

An Eastbourne RNLI spokesperson said:

“On arrival, our volunteers confirmed no one required evacuation and were requested to stand by the drifting 217-metre vessel while the crew worked to deploy their anchor.”

The lifeboat crew stood by for over an hour in challenging sea conditions until the anchor was safely deployed and holding. Once the vessel was secure, Solent Coastguard released the Eastbourne lifeboat, allowing the crew to return to station.

The Coastguard remains in contact with the ship’s crew while repairs are carried out.