French Fishing Boat Catches Fire Off Scilly Isles
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Posted 19:47 GMT
The French fishing vessel Maranello, 26 miles off the Scilly Isles, reported a fire in their engine room this evening.
In a joint operation with the French Coastguard at Corsen, Falmouth Coastguard sent Royal Navy Rescue helicopter from Culdrose to assess the situation and the RNLI lifeboat from St. Marys incase the crew needed to abandon ship.
The five crew successfully extinguished the fire and decided to stay onboard to be towed back to France by the French fishing vessel Daytona.
Coastguard Watch Manager Allan Loveday said:
This incident shows the importance of fire drills onboard vessels. Thankfully the crew managed to quickly put this engine room fire out and were not injured.
Although their assistance wasnt needed wed like to thank all vessels who responded to the Mayday alert, particularly the vessels Mimosa Dream and Bu Samra who headed to the scene and waited until we were sure the crew were safe.
For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401