Failed attempt to tow burning cargo ship away from coast as firefighters unable to extinguish fire with water.
Salvage Crews Begin Towing Burning Cargo Ship Loaded with Cars
Salvage crews embarked on a daring mission to tow a blazing cargo ship, carrying thousands of cars, to a temporary anchorage location off the northern Dutch coast. The dramatic operation commenced on Sunday after the smoke pouring from the stricken vessel finally eased, according to authorities.
Initially, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management had expressed doubts about moving the Fremantle Highway due to a southeasterly wind blowing smoke from the days-old fire over the tugboats. However, a change in circumstances on Sunday altered their plans.
“The smoke from the cargo ship subsided considerably this afternoon and the salvage combination Multraship/Smit Salvage immediately made use of this,” the ministry said in a statement.
The two salvage companies involved in the operation, Multraship and Smit Salvage, wasted no time in taking advantage of the improved conditions. They slowly towed the ship, known as the Fremantle Highway, using two tugs to a temporary anchor point approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of the Dutch islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland.
Ensuring the ship’s stability is of utmost importance, and experts are continuously monitoring the situation. Additionally, a specialized boat is on standby nearby to clean up any potential oil spills, as stated by the ministry.
While the ultimate goal is to tow the stricken ship to a port, the exact location and timing remain uncertain at this point.
The salvage teams made progress on Saturday by attaching a second towing cable to the ship. The vessel was transporting a total of 3,783 new vehicles, including 498 electric vehicles, from the German port of Bremerhaven to Singapore.
Tragically, the ship has been engulfed in flames since Tuesday. Firefighters made the difficult decision not to use water to extinguish the fire, fearing that it could destabilize the ship, which measures nearly 200 meters (219 yards) in length. The vessel is currently floating close to North Sea shipping lanes and a world-renowned migratory bird habitat.
During the incident, one crew member lost their life, and several others sustained injuries. The crew was safely evacuated in the early hours of Wednesday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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