Car Carrier on Fire off UK Coast

A fire was reported on a US-flagged car carrier Tuesday night about 75 miles north of London.

The 29,213 dwt, Courage, reported the fire to the UK Coastguard at Dover Maritime Rescue Coordination Center shortly before 10:00pm June 2. Crew members used an inbuilt CO2 system to extinguish the blaze on one of the ship’s decks.

A Dover helicopter was put on standby but was not needed. The Coastguard reports that the situation is currently under control, however the area where the CO2 was used is now inaccessible to the carrier’s crew.

Five Hampshire Fire and Rescue maritime response officers are aboard the ship to assess the situation. They will also ensure the carrier is safe to take bring into Southampton.

Counter-pollution staff are monitoring the carrier, but all reports claim the situation is contained.

The owner of the ship, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carriers, told the BBC that the ship was carrying both commercial and U.S. military vehicles and was headed for Southampton. The extent of damage to the ship’s cargo is still unknown.