UPDATED: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is coordinating a multi-agency response to a car carrier situated off the Isle of Wight following a fire on board during the early hours of this morning (Friday).
A Fire and Rescue Marine Response Team is due to be airlifted to the US car carrier ‘Honor’ by Coastguard Helicopter to further investigate the fire damage and determine whether or not it is safe for the vessel to return to Southampton Port. In addition, a pilot from Southampton Port and a MCA Marine Casualty Officer are to be sent to the vessel to assist the assessment process.
At around 03:45 this morning HM Coastguard was notified of a fire on board the vessel in the English Channel whilst it was on route to Baltimore from Southampton.
The vessel’s fixed firefighting systems were used to attack the fire and the cargo space has been sealed. The ship’s crew continue to monitor the cargo area.
The ship has full manoeuvrability and has turned back towards Southampton, where it is planned to anchor to the South East of the Isle of Wight. Currently it is off the South West coast of the Island, proceeding East at around 3.5knts.
The MCA say that they are monitoring the situation closely and that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has been notified of the incident.
Andy Jenkins, Commander for HM Coastguard said:
“The 21 crew are still on board the vessel and they are safe and well. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as it develops”.
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UPDATE @ 13:52 – The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lee-on-Solent has now rendezvoused with the car carrier off the South West coast of the Island.
UPDATE @ 21:40 – The car transporter ‘Honor’ has now safely docked in Southampton following this morning’s fire.
4 Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service officers boarded the ship by helicopter earlier on today, but have since handed the incident back to the ship’s owner.
The Hampshire officers provided expertise and advice to bring the incident to a successful and safe conclusion, working as part of a multi-agency response with the MCA and local emergency planning teams.
Honor will remain at Southampton Port over the weekend in a stable condition.
FOOTAGE JUST IN – heli transfer of @Hants_fire, @PortofSoton and @MCA_Media teams to car carrier #allsafe https://t.co/ItQ7QEpRWj pic.twitter.com/A75s45eqB6
— Maritime and Coastguard Agency (@MCA_media) February 24, 2017
