Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 04/11/2010 10:49

Summary of Situation:

At 0609 BST on Wednesday 27th October 2010 it was reported that the Faroese Factory Stern Trawler ATHENA , IMO 8907096, had suffered a fire on board 235 nm South West of the Isles of Scilly in position 47 39 N 010 58 W. The casualty has 310 tonnes of HFO and 220 tonnes of MGO,16 tonnes of Ammonia and 750,000 cardboard boxes on board.

The condition of the ATHENA remains stable and she is still being held outside Falmouth Port limits by the ANGLIAN EARL with the Salvage Company SMIT on board.

SMIT’s fire fighting operations continue and are making steady progress.

Current Situation

· A Cornwall Council Emergency Management Team is meeting on a daily basis to assess and plan for any potential Council involvement in the coming days. Membership of this group comprises of Fire, Emergency Management , Waste Management , Maritime Liaison and Legal services.

· The salvor’s fire fighting operations continue outside Falmouth Port limits. The ship’s sprinkler system has now been restored and steady, but slow progress is being made in trying to ascertain the full extent of the fire.

· Heat sources in the Package and Storage Area and on Deck 1 are being tackled from fore and aft. Mechanical ventilation is being used where possible in the machinery spaces.

· Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has had two representatives on board today to observe the operation, familiarise themselves with the vessel and to recover fire fighting equipment left on board last Thursday when the vessel was evacuated.

· The JP Knight tug ANGLIAN EARL continues to tow the ATHENA outside port limits and this is assisting the process of ventilating the decks. The ITC tug CHINOOK remains on scene as support vessel.

· Meetings were held yesterday with senior management from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and SMIT/JP Knight to clarify and agree the command and control structure if/when the ATHENA is brought alongside in Falmouth Port.

· SMIT / JP Knight to continue with the salvage operation in accordance with their salvage plan.

· An Assessment Team will inspect the ATHENA and report their findings to the SOSREP to ensure that the Port Authorities entry requirements are met.