Abandonment of Cargo Ship Amidst Uncontrollable Fire Off Alaska's Coast
A cargo vessel transporting 3,000 vehicles to Mexico encountered a severe fire incident off the coast of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. The ship's crew, totaling 22 members, abandoned the Morning Midas after failing to control the blaze that originated from the deck carrying electric vehicles. No injuries were reported among the crew. After initiating emergency firefighting protocols, they eventually had to evacuate and were subsequently rescued by a nearby merchant ship in the North Pacific Ocean.
On Tuesday, smoke was first spotted emanating from the section of the ship where electric vehicles were stored. According to Zodiac Maritime, the London-based management company overseeing the Morning Midas, this led to an urgent evacuation. The crew attempted to extinguish the flames using the ship's onboard fire suppression systems but found themselves unable to manage the situation effectively. Consequently, all crew members boarded lifeboats and were later transferred safely to another vessel approximately 300 miles southwest of Adak Island.
The U.S. Coast Guard has mobilized air and sea resources to assist with the emergency response. Air crews are being dispatched to Adak, while a ship is en route to the affected area. Zodiac Maritime has assured that relevant authorities have been alerted, and they are coordinating closely with emergency responders for salvage and firefighting efforts. Their primary focus remains on ensuring the safety of the crew and safeguarding the marine environment against potential pollution.
The Morning Midas, a Liberian-flagged car and truck carrier constructed in 2006, measures 600 feet in length. It was tasked with delivering various vehicles, including 800 electric models, to Lázaro Cárdenas, a port located on Mexico’s Pacific coastline. The current challenge lies in managing the ongoing fire and preventing any adverse environmental impacts.
In light of these developments, maritime authorities and emergency services are actively collaborating to address the crisis. The priority now shifts towards mitigating the consequences of the fire and ensuring the safe resolution of the situation without further endangering human lives or harming the surrounding ecosystem. This operation underscores the importance of robust safety measures aboard vessels navigating challenging waters such as those around Alaska's remote islands.