Grande Brasile
On February 18, the 214 meter long, 26169 dwt ro-ro container ship Grande Brasile (IMO: 9198123) caught fire in the English Channel 15 miles off the coast of Ramsgate, England. The Grande Brasile was bound for Le Havre from Antwerp with a mixed cargo of vehicles and containers when a fire broke out on one of the decks. Both the UK Coastguard and RNLI lifeboat crews responded to the incident along with the French tug Abeille Normandie and a Dutch fixed wing aircraft. Reports state the fire was brought under control using the onboard CO2 fire suppression, but the vessel’s main engine was disabled. The tug Abeille Normandie and Multratug 35 were standing by the Grande Brasile while the crew attempts to restore power and steering. No reports of injuries to the 28 crew on board.