A Maersk containership has been left without power off the US east coast after suffering an engine room explosion.
The casualty occurred aboard the 4,258-teu Laura Maersk (built 2001) late on Thursday, some 442 km (275 miles) south-east of Newark.
At least one crew member is reported to have sustained burns during the incident aboard the Danish-flagged containership.
The injured man was medevaced by the US Coast Guard (USCG) on Friday morning in an operation utilising both USCG and US Navy assets.
Aircrews aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, were dispatched to retrieve the injured crew member.
But due to the extensive distance, the helicopter had to land on the US Navy destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) and refuel before conducting the medevac.
Once on the scene, the aircrew hoisted the man onto the helicopter and transported him to Norfolk Sentara General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.
A plan is currently being developed to salvage the disabled vessel, the USCG said.
“US Fleet Forces Command and the USS Mahan were instrumental in getting this crew member help as soon as possible,” said a USCG spokesperson.
“This case highlights how good communications in a highly complex situation allows us to work together seamlessly to help those in need.”
TradeWinds has contacted Maersk for comment on the incident.
