Grande America had 45 boxes carrying hazardous materials

France’s Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic reportedly said Wednesday the sunken Grimaldi Group-owned ConRo ship was carrying 365 containers and more than 2,000 vehicles.

   The Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic on Wednesday said the sunken Italian Grimaldi Group ConRo ship Grande America was carrying 365 containers, with 45 listed as carrying hazardous materials, according to Franceinfo.
   The ship, which sank Tuesday afternoon about 140 nautical miles southwest of Brest after it caught fire Sunday night, also was carrying more than 2,000 vehicles and its bunkers held about 2,200 tons of heavy fuel oil, maritime prefect Jean-Louis Lozier said.    
   No pollution had been detected, he said, but the impacted area would be handled between the Charante-Maritime and the Gironde, according to Orange news.
   Grimaldi had been put on notice to end the danger for the navigation and marine environment represented by containers and other elements adrift and treat any maritime pollution, the prefect said.
   “The Grimaldi Group is now arranging, under the guidelines of the French authorities, the prevention of any potential damage to the marine environment resulting from the vessel’s sinking,” Grimaldi said Tuesday in a press release.
   The fire caused 27 people — 26 crew members and one passenger — to abandon ship in the early hours Monday. They were rescued by the Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll without any serious injuries reported.