MSC Flaminia is on fire in the middle of the North Atlantic

[Kyle Larabee]

http://blog.halifaxshippingnews.ca/2012/07/ds-crown-to-rescue.html?spref=tw

[Kyle Larabee]

UPDATE 3 (July 19) There has apperntly been a second explosion, leading to a halt of fire fighting Efforts. An addtional Tug is also enroute

http://blog.halifaxshippingnews.ca/2012/07/ds-crown-to-rescue.html?spref=tw

Kyle

[Lexor]

July 19, 2012 update from TradeWinds

[Lexor]

20.07.2012 Update from gCaptain.com

Salvors Board Burning MSC Flaminia

[machet]

hi

you can see on "you tube", msc flamina on fire (26 th july 2012).

very impressive !!!!

many damages !!!!

bruno

[Kyle Larabee]

Here is the video.
http://youtu.be/OFYO8MlsyRg

Kyle

[Rick Vince]

^{http://www.odin.tc/news/read.asp?articleID=1147
If this August 1st. report of the vessel's reported position at 46.35N 011.35W is accurate then the vessel has, surprisingly, been towed towards very deep water and away from possible safety and salvage areas.
Towing the vessel into the Bay of Biscay suggests one thing to me.
With the now known amount of structural damage to the hull, I surmise that the owners & salvors are expecting her to sink, or to be scuttled.
Regards, Rick}

[Tuomas Romu]

With the now known amount of structural damage to the hull, I surmise that the owners & salvors are expecting her to sink, or to be scuttled.

With a nearly intact engine room and a large number of undamaged containers? I doubt it.

[brimar]

I am inclined to agree with you Rick. I would be very surprised if any Uk port would accept the vessel into their waters in her current stability condition with such a hugh risk of pollution. . .just look what happened when they tried to tow the MSC Napoli to a safe haven !!!!. . .Brian

[Captain Ted]

Brimar
or the other case, Prestige? ,,broken up by tugs in bad weather, a total failure of shore people to judge a situation, If the Prestige (or was it the erika of the spanish cOAST?) would have been towed into a small bey, nothing would have happened,instead they towed her to sea and had huge coast lines full oil

whatever they do is most probably in the end wrong

[brimar]

Capt Ted,
         Yes I do understand your last post of the vessel being in a 'catch 22' situation and whatever decision that may be taken will be the wrong one in certain quarters.
 Because of my involvement in the 'Tory Canyon' anti pollution operation off the Seven Stones Reef and more recently the MSC Napoli clean up operation and to witness the close up ecological disaster that it caused to the 'Jurassic coast' and in particular to the people of 'Branscombe' in he UK, my thoughts of a repeat catastrophic disaster on our coast is never going to disappear.
         It appears on Aug 3rd the vessel was in position 46.03N / 013.21S on a WSW course at average speed of 2k.    

[Tuomas Romu]

What's wrong with the stability of MSC Flaminia? Yes, it's listing, but it's not like it's in danger of capsizing anytime soon. Thanks to the fire, the center of gravity has probably gone down...

According to latest press release from Reederei NSB, the situation onboard remains unchanged. I guess they'll head towards the coast once the remaining fires in hold 7 have been extinguished.

[Captain Ted]

On the end it is all speculation
Nobody can really inspect it now. Either the owners nor the salvors can say for sure what the list causes. I read that tugs pumped water up to extinguish the fire. not the first time that ship because of that capsizes. also as stated the fire could do the list,,by burning some cargoes and others not. I would say its part of it all and if she goes down nobody ever will know.

[stantheman]

So, what's the plan here? Tow her around the North Atlantic until she burns to the waterline?

[Captain Ted]

Stan
that might very well be.
no country will give now permission to enter a port. This is somehow understandable. But one of the main problems is that too much authorities will be involved. Everybody has a say but nobody will take responsibility. Does that sound familiar ??!!!

Most problably best, burn out,, break up and sink. Insurance pays. Case closed.
Bad enough,,but reality