Zircone
The 125 meter long, 8000 dwt tanker Zircone caught fire in the Gulf of Riga near Riga, Latvia. The Zircone had departed from Riga with 7,000 tons of diesel fuel on board when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The fire grew in intensity and quickly disabled the vessel. Latvian authorities dispatched a helicopter along with several patrol boats to the scene. They found the tanker adrift with the crew on board fighting the fire. The crew eventually was able to bring the fire under control a few hours later. No reports of injuries to the 17 crew on board.
A tug later towed the Zircone back to Riga. The tanker moored at the Riga Shipyard where it will undergo repairs. No reports of pollution released.