Due to bad weather conditions, the team of firefighting experts has been unable to go on board MSC Flaminia over the past few days. According to the salvage team on site the fire in cargo holds 4, 5 and 6 has been extinguished. However, smoke is visible above cargo hold 7 and the temperatures in this area are rising. The ship still lists by 10 degrees.
The MSC Flaminia was struck by a fire followed by two explosions a little over two weeks ago. Three tugboats have been fighting the fire and the ship is currently being towed to the UK.
More Bad Weather Predicted
In the coming days a further deterioration of the weather is predicted. Therefore, MSC Flaminia and the group of tugboats have pulled out of the 200 mile zone and maintain a position approximately 200 miles off the British coast.
Awaiting Permission to Approach the Coast
The ship still waits for permission from the authorities to enter a sheltered coastal area. This permission is expected 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: MSC Flaminia before the fire (source: https://www.reederei-nsb.de/site_en/index.php?node_id=2308&detail_id=52&n_nsb=94[Reederei NSB])
