The engine room of a Maltese-registered ship transporting chemicals was
engulfed by flames off the southwest coast of
Ireland, seven and a half miles
north of Brandon Head, reported The Irish Times.
The fire broke out early on Wednesday morning. The 15 crew members on the 95-metre
vessel managed to control the fire. The vessel is now believed to be drifting
without power, despite attempts to restart the engine.
Two tugboats are on stand-by, awaiting arrangements to bring the vessel
ashore. Members of the Coast Guard are at the scene and a specialist crew from
the Dublin Fire Brigade were also flown to the area as a safety precaution.
The ship had earlier unloaded a cargo of sulphuric acid at
Aughinish
Island
in Co Limerick, according to The Irish Times.
