The Morning Midas was carrying 3,000 vehicles of
which around 800 were electric and Zodiac and smoke was first seen emanating
from a deck carrying electric vehicles.
“The crew immediately initiated emergency firefighting
procedures using the vessel’s onboard fire suppression systems. However,
despite their efforts, the situation could not be brought under control,” a
statement from the manager said.
With the crew unable to bring the fire under control, in
consultation with the US Coast Guard the decision was taken to
evacuate all 22 seafarers to a nearby vessel.
The USCG said in a statement that the crew evacuated first
to a liferaft and then to the vessel Cosco Hellas. According to Zodiac
there were no injuries to the crew.
The USCG said in a statement that the current status of the
fire was unknown but smoke was still emanating from the vessel.
“As the search and rescue portion of our response concludes,
our crews are working closely with the vessel’s parent company, Zodiac
Maritime, to determine the disposition of the vessel,” said Rear Admiral Megan
Dean, commander of the Coast Guard’s Seventeenth District.
“We are grateful for the selfless actions of the three
nearby vessels who assisted in the response and the crew of motor vessel Cosco
Hellas, who helped save 22 lives.”
Zodiac said earlier, “The relevant authorities have been
notified, and we are working closely with emergency responders with a tug being
deployed to support salvage and firefighting operations. Our priorities are to
ensure the continued safety of the crew and protect the marine
environment."
The USCG Alaska district reported that the incident took
place 300 miles southwest of Adak Island. Watchstanders diverted the crew of US
Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) to the area, directed the launch of a
C-130J Super Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, and
positioned an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew in Adak.
The Morning Midas was enroute to Lázaro Cárdenas,
Mexico at the time of the incident.
Fires on car carriers and containerships from lithium ion
batteries are growing concern to the industry and insurers due to the
difficulty in bringing them under control.
