On August 19, the 100 meter long, 4798 dwt cargo vessel EFES (IMO: 9197686) caught fire in the Bay of Bengal some 540 miles east of Chennai, India. The EFES was en route to Port Klang from Visakhapatnam when it reported a fire on board the vessel. Authorities have requested vessels in the area to assist. No further details reported.
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 14, the 292 meter long, 7500 dwt passenger cruise ship Mediterranea caught fire while arriving at pier 8 in Jeju, South Korea. The Mediterranea had departed from Tianjin, China when smoke was spotted near the engine room. A fire had started in a machine room caused by a mechanical failure in the air conditioning system. The fire while contained below decks had spewed out toxic smoke along large section of the starboard side of the vessel.
Fortunately, the crew was able to respond quickly to the blaze. An automated water sprinkler system was engaged and extinguished the fire. All passengers on board were safely disembarked with no reports of injuries to the 2436 passengers on board.
Three crew suffered smoke inhalation that received emergency treatment on site. The Korean Coast Guard and local fire deparment inspected the vessel for damage and concluded the Mediterranea was cleared to proceed on its next port of call at Fukoka, Japan. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
