- Electric Vehicle Fire Suspected in Ship Blaze.
- Cargo Ship Morning Midas Ablaze, Adrift in Pacific.
- U.S. Coast Guard Responds to Ship Fire Near Adak.
A cargo ship carrying over 3,000 vehicles, including a good number of electric and hybrid models, is currently ablaze and drifting in the North Pacific Ocean, about 220 miles south of Adak, Alaska. The fire broke out on June 3 and has only gotten worse, despite the crew’s attempts to put it out, reports Marine Insight.
Smoke Started from the Electric Vehicle Deck
The first signs of smoke appeared on the deck that housed the electric vehicles while the ship was making its way from China to Mexico. The crew quickly activated the fire suppression systems, but things escalated rapidly.
Crew Rescued Safely After Leaving the Ship
All 22 crew members managed to evacuate in lifeboats and were rescued without any injuries by a nearby merchant vessel. Although the ship is still on fire, a Coast Guard aerial inspection on June 9 reported that it was stable. Thankfully, no pollution has been spotted in the nearby waters.
Concerns Over Hazardous Cargo and Fuel
The ship is loaded with 3,159 vehicles, which include 65 fully electric and 681 hybrid models. It also carries around 1,530 metric tons of low-sulfur fuel oil and 350 metric tons of gas fuel, raising serious environmental and safety concerns.
Salvage Operations Are Underway
A salvage team has reached the site and is currently evaluating the conditions on board. Two more support vessels are expected to join the operation in the next few weeks. The U.S. Coast Guard is overseeing the salvage plan to ensure everything is done safely and effectively.
Weather Challenges Response Efforts
Rough seas and strong winds have made the response efforts more difficult. On Monday, winds reached up to 50 knots, with waves hitting six feet. Authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation and are working with NOAA for drift analysis and environmental protection.
Ongoing Monitoring of the Situation
The vessel is now drifting northeast at about 1.8 miles per hour within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Regular aerial surveillance and updates from the scene are being used to keep track of its condition and to guide further response actions.
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Source: Marine Insight
