Al Fayrouz, a Panama-flagged ro-ro vessel, caught fire on Monday, April 8, while sailing in the Red Sea. As reported by the Saudi Arabian Border Guards, the 101-meter was in international waters, 60 nautical miles off Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islands, when the incident occurred.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (JMRCC) received a request from France’s Gris Nez MRCC to provide the Al Fayrouz with assistance.
French authorities had received a GMDSS distress signal from the Al Fayrouz at a position about 60 nm off the Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary in the Red Sea, and Saudi forces were best positioned to respond.
The border guards were able to assist all 31 crew members off the roro.
However, the fire completely destroyed the vessel.
AIS data address that Al Fayrouz had departed from Suez port to Djibouti when the fire erupted.
Built in Germany in 1980, the ship was operated by Marshall Islands-based Medmarine Shipping.
