Efforts to control the fire aboard the burning containership Wan Hai 503 have made significant strides on the third day of firefighting operations. While approximately 40 percent of the fire has been stabilized, the regional safety agency warns that the threat persists, particularly due to the vessel’s fuel potentially igniting. The Indian Coast Guard is focusing on cooling and foam suppression at the ship’s forward section, with plans to address the mid-section next.
Thanks to the progress, a salvage crew has boarded the Wan Hai 503 for the first time, successfully attaching a towline to the stern, which is now secured to a tug. The vessel is being moved away from the coast, as it was reported drifting at 1 knot, approximately 44 nautical miles offshore. However, concerns linger regarding hydrocarbon vapor release near the fuel tanks, which hold 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel.
An area survey revealed 10 to 15 containers adrift from the ship, with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority warning that they could reach the coast soon. The vessel’s manifest indicates it carries 1,754 containers, including 143 classified as hazardous materials. Meanwhile, 16 of the 18 rescued crew members have been discharged from the hospital, while two remain in serious condition. Salvage efforts continue, albeit hampered by adverse sea conditions.
