LONDON – Nearly 100 people were saved from a blazing ship yesterday in a dramatic rescue operation.
All but 13 of the crew on board the factory fishing vessel escaped on life rafts and were picked up by a passing ship.
The remainder – firefighting crew – have brought the blaze under control, the ship’s owners said.
The fire broke out at around 6am as the Athenasailed to its next fishing area and was about 230 miles southwest of the Isles of Scilly.
The coastguard was alerted and nearby ships asked to come to the Athena's aid, with one vessel, the Vega, taking 98 crew members on board after they successfully disembarked using the life rafts. There were no reports of any injuries.
The ship's owners, Faroe Islands-based shipping company Thor, said in a statement: "Around 6am this morning a fire broke out on board Athenawhile she was sailing to her next fishing area.
“The fire appears to have started in packing material stored on the port side of the ship.
“The fire safety crew on board have remained on board to try to contain the situation. All but the 13 firefighting crew have abandoned the ship, and all are safe.
“The firefighting crew are safe and are in no immediate danger.” Thor chief executive officer Hans Andrias Joensen immediately contacted the ship after being made aware of the incident by the Falmouth coastguard at 6.22am.
A spokesman for Falmouth coastguard, which co-ordinated the rescue, said: "At the moment 13 crew members remain on board the Athena, with 98 on the Vega.
"The Athenais sailing under its own power towards the UK, travelling at a speed of about eight knots and is expected to arrive tomorrow [at Falmouth]."