Photo that was released on the internet showing the vessel Norman Atlantic on fire (photo credits: paramythia-online.gr). A fire broke out onboard the Ro-Ro passenger ship Norman Atlantic during early morning hours (0400-0600 Greece local time), while the vessel was north of Kerkyra, Greece close to Othonoi island. Onboard the vessel there are approximately 480 passengers. The vessel had departed from Igoumenista, Greece and was heading to Ancona, Italy. According to Greek news media the fire started from within the vessel’s lower decks (garage) and spread to the entire aft section of the vessel. As a result the Captain of the vessel ordered the evacuation of the ship. Currently the weather conditions in the area make the rescue operations difficult due to strong winds, rough seas (10 beaufort scale). Vessels that were in the adjacent area of the incident immediately altered their course in order to participate in the search and rescue operations. Currently, cargo ships that are participating in the rescue operations have formed a cyrcle in an effort to provide a lee to Norman Atlantic and help in the rescue operations. Coast guard vessels, helicopters and tugs are also participate in the operation. The search and rescue operations are being coordinated by the Italian authorities with the help of Greek authroties as well. So far there haven’t been any reports of casualties or if any passengers were in the water. Update No. 01 – 28/12/2014 According to a press release from Greek authorities participating in the rescue operation, 150 persons have evacuated the ship (through lifeboat or liferaft) and 42 of them have been rescued by the vessel “Spirit of Piraeus”. The cruise ship Europa has also managed to tow liferafts with people that managed to evacuate the ship. According to reports from passengers of the Norman Atlantic who managed to contact Greek news media, the passengers are gathered on the open deck of the ship facing the cold weather conditions and the thick smoke from the fire that is burning the ship. They also reported that the deck floor is hot from the fire. The weather is expected to imrpove during the next hours (north winds of 6-7 beaufort scale) and this will pose as a good opportunity to hasten the rescue operations and succesfuly evacuate crew and passengers. Source: Reuters, Megatv (1), Megatv (2) officerofthewatch/2014/12/28/norman-atlantic-in-fire-north-of-kerkyra-greece/
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 12:21:05 +0000
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