Decommissioned Oil Tanker Catches Fire Off Trinidad, No Injuries Reported

A decommissioned oil tanker caught fire at the Port of Spain in Trinidad on Tuesday, May 14.

No oil pollution or injuries were reported, but the smokey fire drew significant attention.

The fire alarm sounded just before 9:00 a.m. local time, and the Port Authority, Coast Guard, and Fire Department responded to the blaze.

The tanker was Aqua Marine.

Reports indicate that it was abandoned off Trinidad, most likely a decade ago.

It had been acquired by a local firm, which had been scrapping the vessel on-site.

The National Energy Corporation of Trinidad was requested to assist, and one of the vast tugboats was equipped with firefight capabilities.

Video Credits: National Energy/Facebook

The National Energy Resilience, which boasts a capacity of 1200–1400 cubic meters/hour of foam or water, was dispatched, and after nearly three hours, the flames were contained.

An initial examination referred to it as an accident.

They believe the workers were on the tanker, and a spark ignited the residual oil.

The videos reflect that the tanker’s stern section engulfed the fire. C Neptune, a barge, was also alongside and may have been impaired as well.

According to Assistant Chief Fire Officer Earl Sampson of the northern division, the fire took around three and a half hours to extinguish.

Almost 100,000 gallons of seawater were needed to extinguish the fire.

No major oil leaks or injuries were reported.

The Police Coastal Division six salvaging firm employees had to be evacuated.

The vessel’s owner was identified as José Marina.

Reference: Guardian

Decommissioned Oil Tanker Catches Fire Off Trinidad, No Injuries Reported appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News