Spanish authorities are still trying to contain a fire that erupted onboard a Russian fishing trawler Oleg Naydenov April 11, while the vessel was docked at the port of Las Palmas, the government-run Salvamento Maritimo reports.
After failed attempts to contain the fire, the authorities decided early Sunday to tow the burning trawler some 20 miles offshore. The vessel was reportedly carrying a load of cardboard at the time of the incident, which kept the fire burning.
The authorities feared that the ship’s fuel tanks might explode or that the vessel, which is listing at 11 degrees, might sink in the port due to the large amounts of water used to contain the fire.
According to the latest reports, the fire is put out, but there is still some smoke coming from the ship. The tug operators reported seeing no oil spills during the towing operation.
All 72 crew members aboard the trawler at the time of the incident disembarked the vessel safely on Saturday.
According to Salvamento Maritimo, the fire started in the engine room at around 13:30 local time, Saturday.
Las Palmas port authorities said that the vessel is welcome to dock at the port once the fire is put out completely.
World Maritime News Staff; Image: Salvamento Maritimo