On a freighter above Ameland, The Netherlands, a fire broke out on Tuesday just before midnight, resulting in one casualty and several crew members injured. The vessel involved is the Fremantle Highway, which had 23 crew members on board at the time of the incident. In response to the fire, seven crew members jumped overboard and were rescued by nearby vessels. The remaining crew members were evacuated from the ship with the assistance of coast guard helicopters.
The Battle Against the Blaze
Despite the crew’s efforts to contain the fire, their attempts to extinguish it on their own were unsuccessful. The fire rapidly spread, necessitating an evacuation. Tragically, one crew member lost their life in the incident, and multiple others sustained injuries. Sixteen crew members were transported to hospitals by authorities from the Veiligheidsregio Drenthe, but fortunately, none of them are in critical condition.
The Vessel Details and Cargo
The Panamanian-flagged ship was located approximately 27 kilometers off the coast of the Waddeneiland (Wadden Island). It was en route from Bremerhaven, Germany, to Port Said, Egypt. The vessel’s significant size, measuring nearly 200 meters in length and over 30 meters in width, made it capable of transporting 2,857 cars, including 25 electric vehicles.
Potential Cause of the Fire
The initial investigation points to a possible cause of the fire being an electric vehicle on board the ship. While the exact circumstances leading to the outbreak are yet to be fully determined, the focus is on understanding the incident’s origin and preventing future occurrences.
The incident involving the Fremantle Highway above Ameland serves as a poignant reminder of the potential risks and challenges faced by those working in the shipping industry. The combination of volatile cargo, remote locations, and unpredictable emergencies underscores the importance of safety protocols and preparedness.