A Wisdom Marine bulker loaded with lithium-ion batteries is safe and moored off Alaska after a fire in a cargo hold.
The US Coast Guard was alerted to the fire on the 13,700-dwt Genius Star XI (built 2012) on 29 December around 225 miles (360 km) south of Dutch Harbor.
The crew managed to contain the fire, which was brought under control by a salvage team from Resolve Maritime and T&T Salvage.
The cargo hold has been sealed, the crew of 19 are safe and no pollution has been reported.
The salvage team reported no structural damage to the vessel. The atmosphere inside the cargo hold is described as “non-flammable”.
“The situation is stable right now and maintaining the Genius Star XI at anchor allows for a safer environment for our team to operate and reduces risk of hazardous cargo movement,” said Captain Chris Culpepper, captain of the port.
“M/V Genius Star XI remains operational and can get underway at a moment’s notice.”
The Coast Guard said the ship was carrying a cargo of lithium-ion batteries.
It is now moored off Broad Bay near Dutch Harbor with no indication of heat around the cargo holds.
A one-mile safety zone has been placed around the vessel.
The Coast Guard said it will investigate the cause of the blaze following completion of its emergency response operation.
Although the cause is unknown, there are concerns in the industry about the potential fire hazard caused by lithium-ion batteries.
