Captain quizzed after ship sinks

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Jork struck the unmanned Viking Echo platform 40 miles north east of Cromer, Norfolk just before 6pm on Saturday.

The 2000-tonne vessel, which had been carrying grain from Lubeck in Germany, sank at about 8am.

Mario Siano, watch manager at Yarmouth Coastguard, said an investigation was under way to find the cause of the incident.

"The captain of the ship is in police custody and the rest of the Polish crew are being housed in a local hotel," he said. "It's routine for captains to be breathalysed in situations like this. There will be all sorts of checks done. It's a freak accident and we don't know what caused it."

Mr Siano said the chances of such a crash are "minimal" as there is a 500-metre exclusion zone around platforms.

The vessel sank after bursting its hull, caused by the wheat on board "swelling", he said. Mr Siano said pollution caused by the accident was "minimal". He added the pipeline to the gas platform had been closed down but had not been seriously damaged.

A coastguard spokesman said the Jork was listing heavily and six crew members wearing lifejackets had to be rescued from the sea.

The captain remained on board to try to save the ship, which was destined for the River Humber, but also had to be rescued.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an investigation into the incident.