The Hong Kong-flagged tanker ‘Feng Huang AO’, with 21 crew aboard, suffered a fire ignite in its engine room while transiting 57 miles southeast of Nantucket Island, in the Atlantic Ocean, on 5 October early morning, the US Coast Guard informed.
The US Coast Guard and Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Special Operations Command firefighters and Rescue Paramedics conducted a joint safety examination of the disabled 479-foot asphalt tanker on Monday afternoon.
The ship is loaded with asphalt and was bound for New York Harbor.
The fire was extinguished using the ship’s installed carbon dioxide fire suppression system. There were no reported injuries to any crew members, and no reports of pollution. The ship’s electrical generators and main engine were disabled by the fire.
Salvage tugs were dispatched to rendezvous with the ship and take it under tow. Towing operations towards New York began early Sunday morning with USCG Sector New York personnel closely monitoring the vessel’s transit through offshore shipping lanes.
Inspection crews from Sector New York and FDNY boarded the vessel Monday afternoon to assess damage and ensure the ship’s safety prior to allowing entry into New York Harbor.
This was a significant engine room fire that damaged a number of vessel systems, and we are fortunate there were no injuries. Responding to this case required close coordination between numerous partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure the safety of the ship and the port, and to protect the environment,
…said Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York.
The Feng Huang AO will remain in port until repairs are completed. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
