The Liberian-flagged cargo ship, Morning Midas, is currently engulfed in flames and drifting in the North Pacific Ocean, approximately 220 miles south of Adak, Alaska. This Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) was first reported to the U.S. Coast Guard on June 3, around 3:15 PM. Smoke was initially spotted on a deck that was carrying electric vehicles while the ship was en route from Yantai, China to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.
Despite the crew’s emergency measures and the activation of the vessel's fire suppression system, the flames intensified. All 22 crew members had to evacuate the ship for their safety, escaping in lifeboats and were subsequently rescued unharmed by the merchant vessel Cosco Hellas.
As of recent updates, the Morning Midas continues to burn. Aerial inspections conducted on Sunday by a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC130J Super Hercules revealed that although the vessel is still on fire, it remains stable, with no visible pollution in the surrounding waters.
The ship is carrying 3,159 vehicles, including 65 fully electric and 681 partially hybrid vehicles. Additionally, it holds 1,530 metric tons of very low sulfur fuel oil and about 350 metric tons of gasoline. The vessel's current position is roughly 218 miles south of Amatignak Island and around 11 miles within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. As of 7 AM on June 9, it was drifting northeast at a speed of approximately 1.8 miles per hour.
The tugboat Gretchen Dunlap arrived at the scene on the afternoon of June 9, accompanied by a salvage team from Resolve Marine, the company appointed by the ship's manager, Zodiac Maritime. The team has begun assessing the situation onboard. Two additional vessels have also been dispatched to assist and are expected to reach the site on different dates over the next two weeks.
The U.S. Coast Guard is actively supporting the salvage efforts by providing expertise to ensure that Resolve Marine's recovery and safety plans are efficient and effective. Rear Admiral Megan Dean, commander of the Coast Guard’s 17th District, emphasized that the top priority is the safety of the public, responders, and vessel crews.
Weather conditions pose a significant challenge. On Sunday, the site experienced winds of 10-15 knots and seas ranging from 3 to 5 feet. By Monday afternoon, conditions worsened, with winds reaching 45-50 knots and waves climbing up to 6 feet. The Coast Guard is closely monitoring these weather patterns to guide their response efforts.
Tracking of the vessel's position and condition is ongoing through regular overflights, updates from responders on the scene, and drift studies conducted in partnership with NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration. The Morning Midas departed from China on May 26 and was initially expected to arrive in Mexico by June 15. This ship was built in 2006 and is flagged under Liberia.
Reference: USCG
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