A month after the Panama-flagged Genius Star XI diverted to Alaska after reporting a cargo fireplace, the vessel has lastly been permitted to dock to organize for its onward voyage. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the vessel was permitted to maneuver to the dock in Dutch Harbor, Alaska on January 30 to supply a safer surroundings and streamline the logistics for the following section restoration operation.

The 13,600 dwt cargo ship operated by Taiwan’s Wisdom Line was crossing the Pacific when the crew reported a cargo fireplace. It was contained to the No. 1 maintain and believed to have been extinguished with the onboard CO2 system. A second fireplace was later found within the No. 2 maintain after the vessel had exhausted its CO2 provide. The Genius Star XI was 225 miles southwest of Alaska when the fire was reported, nonetheless, by the point the ship reached Dutch Harbor early on December 30 the USCG reported regular warmth signatures from the holds.

The vessel nonetheless was held at anchor in Broad Bay whereas temperature measurements had been taken. By early January, they started ventilating the cargo holds with an air circulation system devised by the salvage staff whereas plans had been developed for the operation. The holds had been initially saved sealed to stop a reflash, however the plan was later to open them for a visible inspection of the cargo.

The suspicion stays that the hearth was partially brought on by the shifting of the cargo throughout tough seas on the Pacific crossing. In the following section of the operation, the USCG stories salvage groups will work to rescue the cargo and put together the ship to proceed. They emphasised that no cargo can be offloaded however that crews would work to safe the cargo.

“Moving the ship to a pier allows workers a safer and more efficient environment to work and mitigates work delays caused by weather or rough seas,” mentioned Capt. Chris Culpepper, Captain of the Port for the USCG operation based mostly in Anchorage, Alaska. “Based on the recommendations of several agencies and technical experts we are confident operations can be conducted safely and with no additional risk to the community to expedite preparing the vessel to continue its voyage.”

The Genius Start XI carries 152 CO2 bottles in its fireplace suppression system. All the bottles had been offloaded from the vessel and had been being recharged onshore. The Coast Guard is requiring that the system be refilled with the bottles again aboard the vessel earlier than it departs Alaska.

No timeline was reported for the operation and when the vessel would be capable of proceed. It left Vietnam on December 10 with a cease in Korea on December 18. The ship was heading to California with its cargo when the hearth was reported.