The fire that broke out on board an oil tanker off Germany’s Baltic Sea coast has been extinguished, authorities said on Saturday. The German-flagged Annika was carrying about 640 metric tons of oil when the fire started in the engine room or a storage room for paint. The maritime rescue service was alerted to the fire on Friday morning and successfully evacuated all seven crew members from the vessel. Black smoke could be seen from the coast, but fortunately, the fire did not spread to the ship’s load. The ship was then towed to the port city of Rostock to continue efforts to fight the blaze.
On Friday afternoon, experts determined that the ship’s condition was stable before deciding to tow it to Rostock. Firefighters inspected the 73-meter-long ship upon its arrival in the harbor around 1 a.m. and confirmed that the fire had been extinguished. The Germany Central Command for Maritime Emergencies reported that the fire had spread across the stern of the vessel before being successfully put out.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks posed by fires on board oil tankers and the importance of swift response and evacuation procedures. Authorities worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to the ship’s cargo and successfully evacuated the crew members. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have originated in the engine room or a storage room for paint. The quick action taken by emergency services helped prevent a potential environmental disaster in the Baltic Sea.
The black smoke emanating from the tanker was visible from the coast, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the potential dangers involved. Despite the initial fears, the ship’s load of oil remained unaffected by the blaze. Experts are now working to determine the extent of the damage to the ship and the exact cause of the fire. The successful extinguishing of the fire without any casualties is a testament to the training and preparedness of the maritime rescue service and firefighting teams involved in the operation.
The ship’s arrival in Rostock marked a crucial turning point in the operation, allowing firefighters to inspect the vessel and confirm that the fire had been completely put out. The decision to tow the ship to port proved to be essential in containing the blaze and preventing further damage. As investigations continue into the cause of the fire, authorities will be working to ensure that necessary safety measures are in place to prevent similar incidents in the future. The prompt response and coordinated efforts of all involved parties were instrumental in the successful outcome of the operation.
The incident serves as a valuable lesson in the importance of effective emergency response plans for maritime accidents and the need for constant vigilance to mitigate the risks associated with transporting hazardous materials by sea. Authorities will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the necessary precautions are taken to prevent any potential environmental impact from the fire. The successful containment and extinguishing of the blaze are a testament to the dedication and professionalism of all those involved in the operation.
