Ro-Pax

Wightlink Ro-Pax catches fire for third time in 16 months

Baird Maritime
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Geni – Wight Sky in 2016

The Wightlink-operated Ro-Pax ferry Wight Sky suffered a fire in its engine room on the morning of Friday, December 14.

All passengers and crew were safely evacuated from the vessel, which was berthed at Lymington, Hampshire, when the fire erupted.

Local firefighting teams were able to put the blaze under control. The ferry service has been suspended and will remain so until further notice.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is presently looking into what may have caused the fire, the third such incident to befall Wight Sky in 16 months.

The first incident occurred on September 13, 2017. One crewmember suffered burns and was treated and later discharged from hospital.

The second incident took place just last August 27 as Wight Sky left port at Yarmouth. All passengers and crew disembarked safely after the vessel returned to port.

All three incidents involved fire that originated in the engine room.