Ship Strikes Unmanned Rig in North Sea

The captain of a ship that crashed into an unmanned oil rig in the North Sea on Saturday has been accused of being drunk in charge of a sea vessel.

The 2000t Jorg, which had been carrying grain from Germany, struck the Viking Echo platform just before 6pm on Saturday, sinking 12 hours later.

The captain, Zbigniew Karkowski and six crew members were rescued from the sea, UK newspaper The Guardian reports.

Karkowski is being held in custody and is expected to appear at Skegness Magistrates Court.

The ship is said to have burst its hull after the grain on board 'swelled'.

ConocoPhillips say the Viking Echo has sustained 'only slight' damage.