MSC Flaminia and the accompanying group of tugboats have assumed a waiting position approximately 100 nautical miles off the British coast. Due to damaged cargo and extinguishing water, the vessel is listing by 11 degrees. Fire Fighting experts have been able to board the ship for preliminary inspections.
After the prevailing fog lifted, a team of fire fighting experts was able to board MSC Flaminia on Wednesday 25 July. A close inspection of the cargo holds was not possible due to the ongoing generation of heat. The ship’s own fire fighting system was switched off.
Waiting for One-by-One Inspection
On 29 July, a team of fire fighting experts again boarded the ship. It is yet unsure when a one-by-one inspection of containers can commence. This inspection aims at eliminating any smoldering fires inside of containers. Fire fighting and shipbuilding experts on site are among other things assessing the stability of the vessel.
While the team of fire fighting experts is on board the ship, the vessel is not towed.
Situation Improves
Overall, the situation onboard MSC Flaminia continues to improve. According to fire fighting experts, almost no smoke generation can be observed from cargo holds 4 and 5. Nevertheless, hotspots inside of individual containers should still be reckoned with.
Awaiting Permission to Enter Sheltered Area
A permission to enter a sheltered coastal area will be decided upon by authorities in the coming days. Once the vessel has arrived at a so-called “sheltered area”, a secure sea area close to the shore, further, more thorough investigations can be continued.
Picture: The MSC Flaminia on 17 July (source: https://www.reederei-nsb.de/site_en/index.php?node_id=2281[Reederij NSB])
