A fire has broken out in the engine room of a cargo vessel off the coast of the Isle of Wight this evening (Monday).
The incident on board British-flagged Caesarea Trader – previously the Commodore Goodwill – was first reported at around 16:15.
Bembridge RNLI’s All-Weather lifeboat has been launched to the scene, supported by tug vessels dispatched from Portsmouth.
The exact nature and extent of the fire are currently unknown.
It is understood that the vessel, which had left St Helier earlier today, suddenly lost all power and was then put to anchor when the fire was discovered.
The former Condor-owned ferry, now owned by DFDS, was headed for Portsmouth having left Jersey earlier today.
The vessel is 126m (413ft) long and has a cargo capacity of 1,250 cubic metres, the equivalent of about 80 trailers.
UPDATE @ 20:38 – The tugs and lifeboat launched to the cargo vessel’s aid have now stood down and are returning to port.
Coastguard Rescue 375, which was scrambled from Lee-on-Solent to conduct a thermal imaging survey from above, has also stood down.
In a statement, shipping company DFDS has tonight said:
“We can confirm that Caesarea Trader experienced a fire in the engine room earlier today.
“All crew members and the one passenger who was travelling with the vessel are safe.
”The vessel is currently anchored in a safe location off the Isle of Wight, and the fire is under control.
“DFDS are making necessary steps to maintain continuity of freight links to Jersey.”
The stricken vessel remains at anchor off the coast of the Isle of Wight but is expected to be towed into Portsmouth in due course.
UPDATE TUESDAY – The Caesarea Trader remains at anchor off the Isle of Wight this morning. The vessel is expected to be towed into Portsmouth Harbour later on this morning.
Despite rumour, it has been confirmed that no crew were ordered to abandon ship. All 24 persons on board are safe and well.
“The vessel is 126m (43ft) long, has a cargo capacity of 1,250 cubic metres, the equivalent of about 80 trailers.”
A Metric Tardis.
413feet long not 43 feet long.
great
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