On December 19, the 109 meter long dredger Hynz 31 (MMIS: 548440900) caught fire while at anchor in Manila Bay near Manila, Philippines. The fire broke out in the forecastle of the dredger spewing out dense black smoke. The vessel requested assistance with the Philippine Coast Guard dispatching two Parola-class patrols boats, the BRP Sindangan and the BRP Suluan. The Coast Guard was able to extinguish the blaze.
The Philippine Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The cause and extent of damage on the Hynz 31 was not disclosed.
On the early morning of December 16, the 135 meter long passenger ship Thurgau Gold (MMSI: 269057854) caught fire while on the Rhine near Speyer, Germany. The fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room spewing out smoke. The Thurgau Gold requested assistance with the local fire brigade met the vessel near Speyer. Fire boats assisted the passenger ship to berth allowing fire fighters on board. Fire fighters were able to get the blaze under control within a few hours, but it would take many more hours before the fire was extinguished. Reports state the heat from the fire required the hull to be cooled from water sprayed against the hull.
The 149 passengers and 42 crew were safely evacuated off the vessel to a restaurant in Speyer. Later the same day the passengers were transferred to buses for their return journey. There were no reports of injuries.
Photo: rheinpfalz.de
Photo: rheinpfalz.de
Photo: swr.de
Photo: swr.de
Photo: rnf.de
Photo: rnf.de
Reports state the Thurgau Gold engine room was gutted by the fire with the main engines damaged. The passenger ship would be towed to a shipyard where it will undergo inspection and repairs. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On December 9, the 90 meter long, 5214 dwt bulk carrier Langeland (IMO: 9968243) caught fire while berthed at the port of Arinaga, Gran Canaria, Spain. The Langeland was loading a cargo of scrap metal when a fire broke out in the cargo hold. The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze by closing the cargo hatches and deploy the vessel’s fire suppression system, but the fire had burned the wires controlling the hatches. Local fire brigade was called and was able to douse the flames within a few hours. Foam was also used to prevent any further re-ignition.
Photo: puentedemando.com
Photo: eldiario.es
Photo: laprovincia.es
Photo: canarias7.es
There were no reports of injuries or pollution released. The extent of damage to the Langeland was not disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
