Fire aboard Maersk ship under control

Fire aboard Maersk ship under control    Maersk Line said Friday morning a fire aboard its containership Charlotte Maersk was 'contained and under control.'
   The fire aboard the 8,194-TEU ship started about 9 p.m. local time Wednesday, as it sailed in the Malacca Straits. Some reports say the fire began in a cargo container.
   In a statement, Maersk said it could not “speculate on when the situation will be resolved and the fire extinguished. Our priority remains the continued safety of the crew, vessel and cargo, and we will take the time needed to ensure a successful resolution of the situation on board the Charlotte Maersk.
   “The fire is contained to the foredeck, in a safe distance from the bridge and crew accommodation,” the company added.
   A report in the Malaysian Star featured photographs of an airplane dropping water on the fire, which it said occurred about 60 nautical miles from Port Klang.
   Maersk said the 21 crewmembers are assisting in the firefighting, and will continue to cool the fire source's surroundings to prevent the fire from spreading.
   “Next step is to plan the extinguishing of the fire. To assist in this work a team of eight fire fighting experts and one marine chemist is en route to the vessel. They are expected to arrive this afternoon/evening local time. Already on board is a salvage master,” Maersk said.
   The Charlotte Maersk was built in 2002 and is deployed in Maersk Line’s Asia/Europe network. At the time of the incident it had left Port Klang and was en route to Salalah, Oman.
   Two Malaysian Coast Guard vessels are at the scene and continue assisting in fire fighting, the company said. One tug arrived Thursday evening local time and has also assisted. Another tug arrived Friday morning local time and is standing by on scene, and two additional tugs are en route to assist are expected to arrive Friday afternoon. ' Chris Dupin