On November 29, the 139 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Ierapetra L caught fire off Brindisi, Italy.  The ferry had just departed from Brindisi bound for Bari with 23 crew on board when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room.  The crew attempted to douse the blaze, but were unable to control it.  The crew requested assistance with nearby vessels responding.  With assistance, the fire was finally extinguished by the on board fire supression system.  The Ierapetra L turned back to port escorted by three patrol boats. No reports of injuries.  The ferry sustained significant damage to the engine room and had visible signs of heat damage to the hull.