P&O cruise passengers relive night searching for missing cargo ship sailors

24 October 2023 , 15:03

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A searchlight from the Iona scouring the water for the lost crewmen (Image: PA)

Cruise passengers have spoken of their nightmare night as their vessel helped in the search for crewman lost when two cargo ships collided in the North Sea.

The Verity and Polesie collided in the early morning about 14 miles south-west of the island of Helgoland, Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said. One of the ships, the British-flagged Verity, sank in the accident. Two people were rescued from the water while the body of a man recovered. A huge search-and-rescue operation was launched to find others lost in the tragedy. P&O cruise ship Iona was among those helping with the search, with people onboard sharing their experiences of a tumultuous night aboard.

The two cargo ships collided early in the morning (PA)

Passenger Ian Hardman 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 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 rescue started at around 3am with the ship slowing quickly to help. It seems Iona followed the Polesie out of Hamburg. Initially, it was hoped they would be able to carry on to Rotterdam for tomorrow morning.She has just been told they won't now make it until early evening at the earliest. On board it is calm and everyone is understanding of the circumstances.”

Several passengers have spoken of their ship's involvement in the search (PA)

Glen Mitchell wrote on social media: "Mood on the Iona is very keep calm and carry on as we still haven’t moved since after 5am though there is noticeably less activity around the vicinity of the sunken cargo ship. If we’re late or miss Rotterdam there’s far more important things going on around us.”

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The Verity (above) was lost in the accident with the Polesie (NEWS5/AFP via Getty Images)

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.”

The Verity was built in the Netherlands in 2001 and belonged to the British-Dutch shipping company Faversham Ships.

Dan Warburton