Reefer on fire in the Pacific UPDATES abandoned

Mikhail VoytenkoNews
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Reefer SEA MARK with 23 crew reported on fire at 0730 UTC Dec 18 in vicinity 24 45N 144 40E, some 180 nm E of Iwo Jima Island, Pacific. Vessels in vicinity are asked to assist, bulk carrier JP VERDURE (IMO 9310422) seems to be responding, the ship turned 180 and is heading towards SEA MARK. Reefer’s AIS is on, as of 0800 UTC vessel is disabled, drifting.

Dec 18 1620 UTC Update: The ship is abandoned, on fire, drifting.

Dec 19 Update: The ship was still burning, drifting as of evening Dec 18, two lifeboats spotted in vicinity 24 45N 144 35E.

Dec 20 Update: All 23 crew of burning reefer were rescued by MT GOLDEN ASPIRANT on Dec 18, all are in good health, remaining on board of a tanker. GOLDEN ASPIRANT is due at Yokohama on Dec 21.

Reefer SEA MARK, IMO 8317423, dwt 6376, built 1984, flag Panama, manager SHANDONG ZHONGLU FISHERY SHPG.

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My name is Mikhail Voytenko, I’m Russian, professional merchant marine navigator, by education and former experience. I own and run Maritime Bulletin website for more than 10 years. I've been involved in solving a number of piracy hijack cases, including the hijack of ro-ro FAINA, loaded with tanks. It was me who made public, and unravel, freighter ARCTIC SEA mystery. I've been also closely involved in a number of maritime disaster, one of them being MSC FLAMINIA major fire.