Liao Yuan Yu
The 55 meter long, 463 dwt fishing vessel Liao Yuan Yu caught fire near Papeete, French Polynesia. Reports state the fire engulfed the vessel forcing the crew to abandon ship. No further details reported.
ASIAN EMPIRE
The 229 meter long, 25765 dwt car carrier Asian Empire caught fire in the Pacific Ocean some 740 kilometers south of Shionomisaki, Japan. The fire started in the vessel’s storeroom and quickly got out of control. Unable to contain the blaze, the crew sent out a distress call before the 24 crew abandoned ship into the vessel’s two life rafts. Coast Guard coordinated efforts with the refrigerated vessel Asian Adonis changed course to the scene. The Adonis was able to recover all the Asian Empire crew from their life rafts. There were no reported injuries. The Asian Empire crew were taken to Saipan. Reports state the Asian Empire was still ablaze and adrift. The Asian Empire was en route to Panama with a cargo of vehicles.
HMCS Protecteur
The 172 meter long Canadian Naval supply ship HMCS Protecteur became disabled in the Pacific Ocean while en route to its home port of Esquimalt, Vancouver Island. The HMCS Protecteur had departed from Hawaii when it suffered a fire in the engine room while in heavy seas. The blaze was extinguished, but the main engine was damaged and left the ship without power. Twenty crewmen were injured extinguishing the fire. Two vessels from the United States Navy responded to the scene delivering supplies and transferred some passengers off the HMCS Protecteur. A tug was to arrive and take the supply vessel back to Pearl Harbour for repairs. Reports state the commanding officer of the HMCS Protecteur stating the crew were “making the best of a crappy situation”.
Related articles
- Fire forcing HMCS Protecteur to be towed to Hawaii was a ‘serious event’ (prgnewshawaii.com)
- High winds prevent attempt to tow fire-damaged HMCS Protecteur (theprovince.com)
- HMCS Protecteur receives supplies from U.S. navy ship (cbc.ca)
