News
Malta-registered ship engulfed by flames
By MaltaMedia News
Apr 11, 2007 - 12:44:45 PM

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.