Freighter Fire off Coast of Norfolk Contained

U.K. Coast Guard assets and firefighting teams deployed to assist in the control of a fire aboard the general cargo vessel Elbetor off the coast of Norfolk, England.

A fire broke out in the 3,500 dwt Elbetor's accommodations early Wednesday morning. She transmitted a mayday to shoreside authorities and requested aid; authorities dispatched two Coast Guard helicopters, a lifeboat and two further vessels were on scene to provide support.

Her seven crew extinguished the fire by Wednesday afternoon with assistance from a six-man fire and rescue crew delivered by helicopter.

During the firefighting effort, Coast Guard spokesman Ian Guy said in a statement that “the crew are still on board the vessel and keeping the fire under control. However, we have a rescue helicopter hovering above as well as a lifeboat on scene so that, should the need arise, they can evacuate the ship.”

Local media report that although the Elbetor's accommodations block suffered smoke damage, she is expected to head to Great Yarmouth harbor under her own power.

No injuries or pollution were reported in the incident. U.K. authorities have not indicated the cause of the fire as of Wednesday.

As of Wednesday evening local time, the Elbetor's AIS status showed her at anchor off the town of Cromer.

The Antigua-flagged Elbetor (ex Port Faro) is owned by ROLAND Second Maritime and operated by Reederei Erwin Strahlmann, an operator with 50 small bulk carriers in the sub-10,000 dwt range. She has had several owners since construction in 1990 at the Portuguese yard ENVC. Strahlmann acquired and renamed her in 2005 and is reported to have sold her to ROLAND last year.

In 2012, the Strahlmann-operated bulker Carrier went aground in heavy weather at a jetty in Llanddulas, Wales. She was declared a loss and scrapped. Authorities said that 33,000 liters of fuel were spilled in the incident. Her crew were rescued by helicopter and no injuries were reported. 

The Carrier aground, 2012 (file photo)