Sri Lanka Navy announced that a fire erupted on board a container ship in Sri Lanka waters, 120 Nm off Colombo port. ‘Daniela’, a Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)-owned ship, sent a fire distress call, on April 4th, to the Sri Lanka Navy, which dispatched two Fast Attack Craft (FACs) on scene to escort the vessel.
The two SLN FACs managed to escort the vessel up to 10 Nm off Colombo, on April 5th. Two tugs of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Rawana and Maha Wewa, also joined firefighting efforts, but the initial efforts went in vein due to the intensity of flames.
In the eventuality of spread of fire, Sri Lanka Navy requested assistance from the Indian High Commission, as there was a Coast Guard vessel (ICGS ‘Shoor’) that was on a goodwill visit berthed at the Colombo harbour. The Indian High Commission promptly replied to the request made by the Sri Lanka Navy dispatching ICGS ‘Shoor’ to assist in extinguishing fire onboard the distressed vessel. The firefighting mission was also joined by the SLNS ‘Sagara’ patrolling in the Southern Seas. Both ‘Shoor’ and ‘Sagara’ are equipped with firefighting equipment and have specialized firefighting personnel onboard.
In addition, the Indian Navy had also directed two of their ships INS ‘Darshak’ and INS ‘Garriel’ to the location. In the similar vein, three more SLN FACs were dispatched on scene for the evacuation of 21 crew members in a situation of the fire spreading, endangering the safety and life of the crew.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force also joined hands, providing a ‘Bell 212’ helicopter augmenting the combined firefighting efforts. The Indian Navy further extended its assistance providing the ‘Chetak’ helicopter to the distress response efforts.
The 22 crew members are said to be in good health and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is yet to be revealed.
Source & Image credit: Sri Lanka Navy