The coastguard says it has deployed a helicopter and a plane - while nearby vessels with firefighting capability have also been sent.
Fire and smoke seen after collision
Large columns of black smoke were seen at the scene in the North Sea following the collision of an oil tanker and a cargo vessel.
Marine traffic map shows collision
Marine traffic map shows collision
MarineTraffic recording of ships crash coast of Yorkshire
MarineTraffic recording of ships crash coast of Yorkshire
Jewel Jones demonstrates the 'conch honk'
Jewel Jones demonstrates the 'conch honk'
Katie Amess
Katie Amess
Driver trapped by rising flood in Australia
Driver trapped by rising flood in Australia
Plane crashes in car park in Pennsylvania
Plane crashes in car park in Pennsylvania