A cargo vessel sailing through the English Channel experienced a fire onboard before losing propulsion and steering on Tuesday, February 18, according to the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The incident occurred while the ship was en route to Le Havre, France. Emergency response teams were quickly deployed, ensuring the safety of the crew and preventing further escalation.
Emergency Response and Crew Safety
After detecting the fire on one of the decks, the crew alerted UK authorities and sent out a distress call. The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) immediately instructed the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to dispatch rescue boats. The vessel eventually drifted 15 nautical miles off Ramsgate as it suffered a loss of propulsion and steering.
The onboard fire suppression system successfully extinguished the flames, and all 28 crew members were confirmed safe, with no injuries reported. Due to the swift emergency response, evacuation was not required, and RNLI boats were ordered to stand down.
Ongoing Monitoring and Precautionary Measures
Even though the fire has been brought under control, precautionary measures remain in place. A Dutch tugboat and the French rescue vessel Abeille Normandie have been deployed to the area to provide assistance if necessary. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the vessel remains stable and that there is no risk of the fire reigniting.
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Source: BAIRD MARITIME
