Ro-Ro Vessel Fire in English Channel, 28 Crewmembers Rescued

An international rescue operation was conducted after a fire erupted on the roll-on/roll-off container vessel Grande Brasile, operated by the Grimaldi Group and registered in Malta. The incident occurred in the English Channel, 15 miles off the coast of Ramsgate, England. The crew managed to contain the initial fire using onboard suppression measures, but a second fire was reported later in the day. The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency coordinated a multinational rescue effort involving Dutch, French, and Belgian authorities, resulting in the safe evacuation of the 28-member crew.

Following the crew’s evacuation, salvage operations were initiated, with the vessel being towed by Smit Salvage. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation will be conducted in collaboration with relevant authorities. This incident adds to a series of fires involving Grimaldi-operated vessels in recent years, highlighting the risks and challenges faced by maritime operations. Despite the incident, the Grande Brasile maintained a clean record in port state control inspections over the past 17 years.

The vessel’s operator, Grimaldi Deep Sea, confirmed that proper safety measures were activated during the fire incidents. No fuel spill or stability issues were reported, indicating a successful containment effort. The crew’s safe evacuation and the subsequent salvage operations demonstrate the coordinated response of maritime authorities and salvage companies in ensuring the safety of personnel and minimizing environmental impact. The investigation into the cause of the fire will provide valuable insights to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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