Fire-Damaged M/V Genius Star XI Arrives in Dutch Harbor, Alaska: Recovery Efforts and Investigation Underway

The M/V Genius Star XI has arrived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, following a fire on its lithium-ion battery pack. The decision to bring the vessel to dock was made by the salvage master, the Coast Guard’s salvage engineering response team, and technical experts. The fire was first reported on December 28, 2023, and the Panama-flagged ship was en route from Vietnam to Dutch Harbor when the incident occurred.

The ship has been relocated to Unalaska Marine Center Docks 1 and 2, where efforts will focus on recovering the damaged cargo. Aerial surveillance has been repositioned to monitor air quality, and no abnormal air quality has been reported since the incident. Workers will use the pier to safely and efficiently recover the damaged cargo and prepare the ship to continue its journey.

The Unified Command, consisting of the Coast Guard, Gallagher Marine Systems, and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, continues to respond to the incident, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The decision to move the ship to a pier was made to provide a safer work environment for workers while reducing potential delays caused by weather or rough seas.

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