Humberside lifeboat hero killed in Qatar blast

Tributes have been paid to a veteran seaman and lifeboat hero who died in an explosion off the coast of Qatar.

The family of Pete Jordan, 69, said he was one of seven people who died in a gas explosion on the tug boat he was captaining a week ago.

His brother, Ray, told the Hull Daily Mail they were devastated by the news.

He said: "Pete was very well-known, respected and liked in Hull's ex-tug community."

Mr Jordan said his brother had worked in the Middle East for years, spending part of the year abroad and part at his home in Hull.

But he was due to retire when he reached 70.

Captain Jordan worked for the RNLI at Spurn Point, at the mouth of the River Humber, before starting work abroad more than 30 years ago.

His brother said he was honoured for his part in the rescue of men off a Panamanian freighter in 1979.

Mr Jordan said: "Pete loved being in the RNLI and went down to London to receive the bronze award for gallantry for that rescue."

According to local reports in Qatar, the tug, the Al Deebel, exploded about 25 nautical miles off the coast on April 29.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "We are aware of the death of a British national off the coast of Qatar. We stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family."

PA