Flames Erupt Aboard MOL Comfort's Fore Part Under Tow
Photo Credit: http://www.indiatvnews.com/
Update: The Indian Coast Guard has brought the blaze under control. Cooling operations are currently underway and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will begin the salvage operation once the process is complete. A Coast Guard ship has been assigned to monitor and render assistance.
The fire was detected by a Coast Guard chopper on Saturday while the ship was being towed to Oman.
---
After container ship MOL Comfort’s hull fractured in 2 parts in the Indian Ocean on June 17th, the aft part sunk and the fore part is being towed by a tugboat arranged by the salvage company.
On Friday, July 7, the tug reported that a fire broke out from the rear end of the fore part on July 6.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) requested that the salvage company begin firefighting immediately; the tugboat and two rescue boats have been responding to the fire.
As of the last update from MOL, the fire is not yet under control due to adverse weather in the area. The salvage company has requested firefighting assistance of the Indian Coast Guard, and their patrol boat Samudra Prahari, which is equipped with a powerful external firefighting system.
The patrol boat was en route to the incident scene at the time of MOL’s update.