Passengers have spoken of the solemn mood on-board after P&O cruiseliner Iona was drafted in to search for missing sailors after two cargo ships collided.
The 300ft vessel Verity and the Polesie crashed around 14 miles south-west of Helgoland, in the North Sea, according to Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies overnight, with one sailor dead and another four still missing.
Cruise guests have since shared their experiences on-board, with large search lights used to scan the sea in the early hours of this morning for anyone who may be trapped.
One passenger spoke to the Mirror and said the staff have confirmed to people that the ship will be delayed reaching Rotterdam, and that the professionalism shown has been “impeccable.”
Cathering Cox said her 81-year-old mother was onboard the Iona and added: “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.
The Iona, it’s believed, followed the Polesie out of Hamburg. “On board it is calm and everyone is understanding of the circumstances,” she added.
A spokesman for P&O said: “P&O Cruises Iona is currently involved in a search-and-rescue operation off the coast of Germany.
“The incident is ongoing and Iona’s co-operation 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.”
As time continues on and hope fades of the missing sailiors being found alive, the German Maritime Search and Rescue service has offered a glimmer of hope.
Robby Renner, Germany’s head of Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, told a news conference in Cuxhaven it is possible the remaining crew are still alive inside the sunken vessel and that his team is doing “everything humanly possible” to rescue them.
Michael Ippich, of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service, said the water temperature at the time of collision was 12C, which people can survive for about 20 hours.
Mr Ippich told reporters: “The conditions on the spot are extremely difficult. Because of the weather and visibility, it’s incredibly difficult to conduct such an operation.”
