A fire broke out aboard a Liberian-registered container ship off the east coast of Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard reported.
How the MSC Sao Paulo V fire happened
Last Sunday night, around 11 p.m., the MSC Sao Paulo V issued a distress signal after a fire broke out in the engine room of the 294-meter-long vessel. The vessel had departed Montreal that morning and was near the Les Escoumins pilot station on its way to Portugal when the incident occurred.
By Monday afternoon, the vessel’s crew reported to the Coast Guard that they had brought the fire under control, managing to anchor the vessel near the entrance to the Saguenay Fjord at Cap de Granit.
So far, no injuries or contamination risks have been reported and the Coast Guard continues to monitor. It is important to mention that the anchored vessel is not hindering commercial navigation.
Also, the Coast Guard icebreaker Amundsen is at the site along with the Ocean Taiga tug of the Ocean Taiga Group. Ocean Group based in Quebec City, to provide assistance as needed. Two Laurentian Pilotage Authority vessels were also present at the site, but withdrew Monday afternoon.
It should be noted that the crew of the MSC Sao Paulo V did not evacuate the ship. However, during Monday afternoon and evening, some crew members moved to the MSC Don Giovanni to rest.
On Tuesday morning, a specialized team of U.S. firefighters, called in as reinforcements by MSC, boarded the vessel to assess the situation.
In this situation, international coordination for emergency response demonstrates solidarity and efficiency in the management of critical situations at sea, highlighting the importance of preparing and training crews to handle fire emergencies, thus ensuring the safety of the crew, cargo and the marine environment.
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Source: marinelink.com