Martin, would it be too much to ask for a "water transportation" category? I've been putting these under "miscellaneous," but there are actually enough of them to warrant their own category. Thanks. :)

BBC

Wednesday, 14 March, 2001, 01:13 GMT Ship ablaze in English Channel

A cargo ship has caught fire in the English Channel, 18 miles south-east of Beachy Head.

The Master of the Danish-registered cargovessel, the Sofie Theresa, reported a fire in the ship's engine room and alerted the Dover coastguard.

The 2,550-ton ship is carrying a cargo of wax.

There are 13 crew members, all of whom are still on board.

The coastguard has launched a rescue operation, with lifeboats sent from Eastbourne and Hastings and the Sussex Fire Brigade on standby.

An emergency towing vessel has also been sent to the scene.

The emergency services hope the fire has been contained within the ship's engine room.

However, coastguards say it is too dangerous to attempt to reach the area where the fire started until they are certain that it has been put out.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), March 13, 2001