On August 13, the fishing vessel Mariah K caught fire 50 nautical miles off Brookings, Oregon. The fire was started after an explosion in the engine room. All three crew on board abandoned ship and later rescued by the charter vessel Eli’s Tide. The Coast Guard was alerted by the Eli’s Tide and dispatched the 47 motor lifeboat along with a helicopter to the scene. Two crew of the Mariah K were transferred to the lifeboat, but one crewman was airlifted by the Coast Guard helicopter and taken to hospital in San Francisco. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
On August 11, the 222 meter long, 39228 dwt container ship MSC Cape Town III caught fire and exploded while berthed at the JCT 4 jetty at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The boxship was unloading containers when there was an explosion and fire below decks. The local fire brigade responded quickly to the scene while all crew and operational staff evacuated to safety. Reports stated the temperature below deck had reached over 100 degrees in the hold after the explosion. Fire fighters used carbon dioxide along with water from fire tugs to cool and help control the blaze before the fire was later extinguished several hours later. No reports of injuries. Initial reports state a large number of containers were burnt, but the total number of containers damaged or destroyed has not been released.
Reports state some 950 containers had been unloaded including one container listed carrying hazardous cargo. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident including if any containers had undeclared dangerous materials. Most of the containers were intended to be transferred from the MSC Cape Town III to other vessels bound for Tanzania and other African countries.
On August 9, the 305 meter long, 81,145 dwt container ship YM Mobility (IMO: 9457737) sustained an explosion while berthed at Ningbo, China. The YM Mobility was loading containers at the Beilun terminal when a reefer container with hazardous materials located in the bow of the YM Mobility exploded. The explosion generated a shockwave that could be felt over a kilometer away wish reports of broken windows and some building damage to nearby building. Multiple containers on board the YM Mobility were completely destroyed and scattered over the vessel and dock.
The YM Mobility sustained some damage, but no details to the extent of damage was been released. No reports of injuries.
Authorities have stop port operations to carry out safety inspections and conduct clean-up operations. Authorities have stated there will be an investigation into the incident.
