17:35 23 January 2017
A crewman who suffered severe burns in an explosion on board a container ship, which killed one of his colleagues, is reported to be making good progress in hospital.
The man was severely injured after a boiler backfired in the engine room of the Manhattan Bridge container ship as it was docking at Felixstowe port on Thursday.
Residents reported hearing a “massive explosion” in the ship while passing the docks.
The explosion is not being treated as suspicious. However, Suffolk Constabulary said it was continuing to investigate with representative from the Marine Accident & Investigation Branch (MAIB).
A spokesman for Suffolk police said the injured man was recovering in hospital.
“His condition has improved,” the spokesman added.
The Manhattan Bridge operated by ‘K’ Line in Europe, is a modern container ship, which can carry up to 14,000 containers.
The company offered its “condolences to the family of the deceased and their sympathy with the crew of the vessel.”
There has been some dispute taking place between the Port of Felixstowe and the "Manhattan Bridge". Allegedly, the Port was disputing that the vessel was alongside at the time of the explosion, thus indicating that the fatal accident occurred at sea rather than in the jurisdiction of the Port. The Port's own website states the vessel was all fast alongside at 11.12 p.m. on Jan 19. The explosion happened in the engine room of the vessel at around 11.05 p.m. according to media. The police and ambulance crews were called to the Trinity terminal at 11.45 p.m. to reports one person had died during the incident. If the vessel had yet to berth alongside this would explain the delay in their physical attendance. The vessel had swung 180 degrees, as normal, and was about to proceed stern-first to berth 7, when the explosion occurred, indicating that the vessel was 'at sea', not alongside. Felixstowe Port is the Statutory Harbour Authority for a strip of the waters running 50m off the berths - beyond that it is Harwich Haven Authority who do provide the pilotage and conservancy service right up to the quay, on behalf of Felixstowe. It looked like too much uncontrolled fuel was in the boiler combustion area at the time of flashing up. The boiler burner panel was blown completely from the boiler casing and allowed the searing heat of the burning fuel/air mixture to escape into the engine room, which caused the fatality and the injury. The ship was still in Felixstowe on Jan 21 with the MAIB investigation going on.
One dead and another seriously injured in hospital after ‘explosion in boiler room’ at Felixstowe docks
18:34 20 January 2017
A crewman has died after a boiler backfired in the engine room of the Manhattan Bridge container ship as it was docking at Felixstowe port last night – causing an “explosion”.
The Manhattan Bridge ship at the Port of Felixstowe
Police and ambulance crews were called to the Trinity terminal at 11.45pm to reports one person had died during the incident.
The force have said that another crew member, thought to be a man, is seriously injured in hospital with severe burns.
The explosion happened in the engine room of the vessel at around 11.05pm.
A person has died and another is seriously injured in hospital after an 'explosion in a boiler room' on the Manhattan Bridge ship at the Port of Felixstowe.
Residents in the area said they heard a “massive explosion” in the ship while passing the docks.
One wrote on social media: “Driving past a ship earlier and hear this massive explosion. Like thunder going off inside.”
Hannah Mortem said noise coming from the ship made her jump.
A person has been killed in an explosion in the boiler of the Manhattan Ship at The Port of Felixstowe.
“I’m over in Shotley and it made me jump and the shelving shudder, it was so loud,” she said.
“Rest in peace and thoughts with the affected families.”
Mark Mitchell said he heard the explosion from as far away as Rushmere St Andrew, while Dave Franklin said he heard and felt it on the Shotley Peninsula just after 11pm.
Mr Mitchell, who lives close to the Westerfield sports ground in Holly Lane, said: “I was standing at my front door having last smoke before going to bed then I heard the explosion clearly in the distance, my wife who was in bed also heard it through the double glazing.”
Felixstowe deputy mayor Nick Barber said he was “shocked” by the news.
“I am saddened by this, it is a real shock,” he said.
“I am sure most of the town will feel the same, just so sad for those involved.
“These types of things very rarely happen in the town and as long as I can remember I have never recalled anything of this kind happening on a ship rather than the tragic incidents we occasionally get on the dock side.
“I used to work on the haulage side down at the docks and I have never heard of anything like this happening before.
He added: “It is very, very rare incident and on behalf of the town and the council I would like to send our condolences to the family of the victims involved.”
The death is not being treated as suspicious and there will be a joint investigation carried out by the police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The Manhattan Bridge is a modern container ship and is currently sailing under the flag of Japan.
She was built in 2015 at 366 metres long and can carry up to 14,000 containers.
Operated by ‘K’ Line Europe, her next destination was due to be De Ham, the Port of Hamburg, and the estimated time of arrival was January 22 at 3am.
A company spokesman said: “‘K’ Line Europe regret to report an incident involving the 14,000TEU container vessel Manhattan Bridge took place in the Port of Felixstowe, UK at 11.05pm on January 19.
“Whilst berthing a boiler back-fire occurred in the engine room resulting in the fatality of one crew member; another seafarer was taken to hospital with non-critical injuries.
“Local authorities are at the scene and Marine Accident & Investigation Branch (MAIB) representatives are expected on board shortly to investigate the cause of the incident.
They added: “‘K’ Line Europe and all within the organisation wish to express their condolences to the family of the deceased and their sympathy with the crew of the vessel.”