Charities mobilise to help crews after ships collide

Seafarers charities are providing "practical support and pastoral care" for the crews of two merchant ships that collided in the North Sea, a welfare organisation has said.

One crew member is missing and more than 30 people have been rescued after a cargo ship struck an oil tanker off the coast of England.

Stella Maris and the Mission to Seafarers are among the organisations providing support to the survivors of the disaster.

Umbrella charity the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), based in Southampton, said its global networks were vital to helping seafarers and their families.

A total of 36 crew members from both vessels were brought back to shore with one person taken to hospital.

The search of the missing crew member was called off on Monday night after "an extensive search", according to the Coastguard.

One of the ships remained on fire on Tuesday morning and experts have warned of potentially devastating environmental damage.

MNWB chief executive Stuart Rivers said: "It's always quite shocking when you hear these stories.

"Our concern is for the crew.

"We mobilised as a group - we have boots on the ground.

"I know Stella Maris have been in touch with the ship owners and are supporting the crew who are in a local hotel, providing practical support and pastoral care.

"And the families back home will be extremely concerned about their loved ones - this is where having a global network is important because there'll be people stepping up to support those families if the need arises.

"We are equipped for this and are used to dealing with these incidents, although they are rare."

As the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, MNWB supports 47 member charities across the maritime sector.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.