A unified command consisting of the US Coast Guard, the State of California, and Resolve Marine has responded to a fire aboard a containership approximately 50 miles (80 kilometres) west off the coast of Monterey.
The Liberian-flagged containership NYK Delphinus contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders at approximately 04:54 local time on Friday, May 14, reporting an engine fire aboard the ship.
There are 24 people on board and no reported injuries, the coast guard said.
Watchstanders directed the launch of the coast guard patrol boat Sockeye to assess the situation and two Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews. The aircrew arrived on scene at 09:26 and transferred a dewatering pump to NYK Delphinus' crew.
A Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan later arrived on-scene to provide surveillance of the vessel while Resolve Marine contracted five tugs to assist.
On Sunday, May 16, NYK Delphinus' crew reported a continuous decrease in the temperature of the engine room's surrounding bulkheads. No signs of smoke have been observed and all decks above the engine room are now accessible and have been fully ventilated.
The tug Delta Deanna began actively towing the containership in a northerly direction at 10:55 on Saturday, May 15. At 14:55, the two vessels met the tug Scorpius to transfer two members to the containership to survey the damage.
Delta Deanna and the tugs Sarah Avrick, Delta Lindsay, and Jamie Ann later towed NYK Delphinus to an offshore location west of Point Reyes.
Upon arrival, additional fire and salvage teams embarked on the stricken ship to conduct structural integrity inspections and examine damage to the engine room. Once the inspection is completed, the ship will be to transfer to Oakland Terminal Berth 22.
The coast guard said that weather and sea conditions are impacting the speed of operations.
No signs of pollution have been reported.
