Marine investigators of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound and the Transportation and Safety Board of Canada boarded the 876-foot containership MOL Prestige on February 12, 2018, at Pier 18 in the Port of Seattle to begin preliminary investigations into the cause of the engine room fire.
The fire broke out on February 1 while the ship was en route from Vancouver to Tokyo, Japan, causing the ship to lose power and leaving it adrift off Haida Gwaii, British Columbia for several days.
Three crewmembers have been medevaced from the ship due to the injuries they sustained in the fire. The remaining 20 mariners on board were reported to be safe.
MOL Prestige was towed to Seattle on February 11.
“After determining the ship’s status, the vessel owner will determine whether all cargo should be discharged or not,” the ship’s owners said in an update on Tuesday.
“The relief ship Pax 101E/W will cover the original position of MOL Prestige 049/W position ETD Singapore on February 14, as per the original schedule.”
The 6,350 TEU containership was built in 2006 and is managed by Mitsui O.S.K Lines.
World Maritime News Staff; Image Courtesy: USCG/Petty Officer 2nd Class Ali Flockerzi