Update: MOL Prestige Fire Put Out, Extent of Damage Unknown

The fire that broke out on MOL Prestige boxship on February 1, has been extinguished, according to the latest update from the vessel’s manager Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. 

The 2006-built ship is manned by 23 crew members, out of which five are believed to have sustained injuries.

Two crew members of the Post Panamax containership were airlifted by Canadian authorities on Thursday in order to be provided with medical care for the injuries they sustained in the incident.

However, based on the latest update, “all crew members are reported to be safe.”

The fire has left the vessel adrift some 207 nautical miles south-west of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. The extent of damage to the engine room is still being assessed.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir Wilfrid Laurier has been dispatched to the scene to assist the stricken containership.

According to the latest update, MOL Prestige is awaiting the arrival of a tug to tow it to the nearest North American port.

The cause of the fire is yet to be investigated, however, previous ship inspections in the United States and Canada pointed to auxiliary engine-related deficiencies.

The 6,350 TEU containership departed the Port of Vancouver on January 29, 2018 destined for the Port of Tokyo.

World Maritime News Staff