Crewman Missing from Cargo Vessel

At just after 7.30 pm this evening, Humber Coastguard were alerted by VTS Humber to a crewman falling overboard from a small cargo ship moored alongside on the River Trent.

The MV Sea Melody was working ropes, when the crewman appeared to become entangled and was pulled overboard. He immediately disappeared from view.

RAF Rescue Helicopter 128 from RAF Leconfield was immediately re-tasked from a previous incident, and was on scene quickly. The helicopter utilized his FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) camera to seek a heat source from the casualty. A Coastguard team from Hull was also tasked to the area to assist with the search.

Although the helicopter searched extensively to his fuel endurance, and the Coastguard team searched the shore side and surrounds, nothing could be found.

The man is believed to be a 45 year old foreign national.

Weather conditions in the area are very poor with gale force winds, and cold, driving rain.

Watch Manager Mike Puplett said, “We understand that the crewman was not wearing a life jacket, and in these conditions particularly, I would say this should have been an essential bare minimum of safety equipment. We have now stood the search down for the night, and will continue searching during tomorrow.”

mcga.gov.uk