A fire was reported on a 410-foot cargo ship carrying lithium-ion batteries from Vietnam. The US Coast Guard is assisting the vessel diverted to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, on Friday.
Around 0440 local time Thursday, the 17th Coast Guard District Command Center in Juneau received a report from "Genius Star XI" about a fire onboard. The distress call was made about 225 miles (362 kilometers) southwest of Dutch Harbor.
The Coast Guard dispatched a Lockheed HC-130 from Air Station Kodiak and Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley to assist the vessel. It noted that a "safety zone" will be erected around the ship "carrying lithium-ion batteries."
Bloomberg data shows Genius Star XI departed from Vietnam earlier this month with a port call to San Diego. As of Saturday, the vessel is now offshore of Dutch Harbor.
Poster Comment:
From Vietnam to San Diego via Europe?