The fore part of “MOL Comfort” on fire and a fire fighting tug trying to put the fire off – photo crdits The Indian Navy
Update (No. 22): Incident Involving the Containership MOL Comfort
July 09, 2013
TOKYO- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) updates the status of the fore part of Containership MOL Comfort as of 0030 UTC (0930 JST) on July 9, which hull fractured in 2 parts on the Indian Ocean on June 17. The fore part is being towed by a tug boat arranged by the salvage company.
A fire broke out from the rear end on July 6, and one tug boat and two rescue boats have been responding to the fire. On top of these three boats, the salvage company requested assistance of the Indian Coast Guard for fire fighting, and their patrol boat “SAMUDRA PRAHARI” with an external fire fighting system, arrived at the scene around 0030 UTC on July 8, and started fire fighting with the others immediately. However, due to adverse weather, the work has not been progressing smoothly and the fire is not yet under control. Observations show that many containers on the deck have been burnt out.
Update (No. 23): Incident Involving the Containership MOL Comfort
July 10, 2013
TOKYO- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) updates the status of the fore part of Containership MOL COMFORT as of 0030 UTC (0930 JST) on July 10, which fractured in 2 parts on the Indian Ocean on June 17. The fore part is being towed by a tug boat arranged by the salvage company.
In addition to one tugboat and two rescue boats which have been responding to the fire, the salvage company requested the assistance of the Indian Coast Guard in fighting the fire. Their patrol boat “SAMUDRA PRAHARI” arrived at the scene on July 8, and immediately started a fire fighting effort with the others. However, due to adverse weather affecting the fire fighting effort, the fire is not yet under control. Observations show that most of the containers on deck have been burnt out, while we have not been able to confirm the situation in the cargo hold. The fire fighting effort and monitoring of the situation will continue.
