MISSISSIPPI STAR

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Latest news

Damaged tanker docked in Teesport

On June 12 at 2.45 a.m. the fire damaged "Mississippi Star" reached Teesport Anchorage and docked in port at 4.30 a.m. with its remaining crew of 17. A Philippino crewman aged 65 has been airlifted to hospital after the fire on board the tanker approximately six nautical miles north east of Whitby, and taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough to be treated for flash burns. The Humber Coastguard was contacted by the tanker just after 12.30 p.m. on June 11 reporting that they were dealing with a fire in the engine room. A mayday relay was broadcast via Channel 16, and two vessels in the area at the time responded and went to the scene. The RNLI lifeboats from Whitby and Scarborough, the latter lifeboat was already at sea for a training exercise, were also tasked, along with the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield. The remaining crew managed to isolate and extinguish the fire. The lifeboats stood by in case the crew had to abandon ship. By the time the Whitby RNLI boat reached the casualty, the ship had drifted several miles but the fire was out. The Scarborough lifeboat returned to station but the Whitby crew stood by while the tugs were being called to take the tanker into the Tees where the damage could be assessed. The unloaded tanker had left the Tees only around 10.30 a.m. bound for Antwerp. Report with photos and video: http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Whitby-and-Scarborough-RNLI-volunteers-called-to-tanker-with-fire-on-board.aspx

Fire in engine room

Chemical tanker Mississippi Star suffered fire on June 11 13 in North sea ballasting from Tees, UK, for Antwerp. Vessel issued distress signal at 12:30 LT reporting fire and injured seaman. Lifeboats were sent to the distressed vessel, by the time they reach the vessel fire was out. Crew isolated the engine room and presumably, switched on fire extinguishing system. Injured crew was airlifted to hospital in Middlesbrough. Tanker was disabled and drifting. Tugs Svitzer Hutton (IMO 9547855) and Svitzer Castle (IMO 9316397) took Mississippi Star on tow and are towing tanker to Tees. As of 01:00 June 12 vessels were some 3 miles off Tees.

MISSISSIPPI STAR 9527623

Pirates on Sep 28, 2010, attacked the "Mississippi Star" in Tanzanian waters while it was sailing to Dar es Salaam, but the ship managed to escape. The attack on the "Mississippi Star", with 18 crew, was the second such incident in the waters of the East African state in three days.