Posted on 12/31/2023 2:46:09 PM PST by Libloather
A large cargo ship carrying lithium batteries which caught on fire has reached Alaska but continues to be held two miles offshore while responders attempt to extinguish the blaze.
The 19-strong crew managed to make it to shore with no injuries reported, according to the US Coast Guard.
The Genius Star XI was carrying a load of lithium-ion batteries across the Pacific Ocean, from Vietnam to San Diego when the cargo caught on fire, the guard's Alaska district said in a release.
The fire started on Christmas Day in cargo hold No. 1, a spokesperson for ship owner Wisdom Marine Group said.
The crew worked quickly to release carbon dioxide into the hold and sealed it over to avoid a potential explosion.
They then alerted the the Coast Guard early Thursday morning who diverted the 125-meter cargo ship to Dutch Harbor, one of the nation's busiest fishing ports located in Unalaska, an Aleutian Islands community about 1,287 kilometers southwest of Anchorage.
The ship arrived on Friday but was ordered to remain away from the shore to 'mitigate risks associated with burning lithium-ion batteries or toxic gasses produced by the fire,' Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Mike Salerno told The Associated Press.
'The city's primary concern is protecting the health and safety of our community members, the environment, fisheries and commerce,' Unalaska acting city manager Marjie Veeder said in a statement.
Veeder said the city's emergency operations center 'is acting on behalf of the community and advocating our position to protect our community.
'We are actively monitoring the situation' he added.
'The safety of Unalaska residents and the surrounding communities is a top priority for us, so as a precaution we are keeping a one-mile (1.61-kilometer) safety zone around the vessel,' Salerno said.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Wonderful. Crabbers have not been able to fish for 2 years thanks to low crab populations and now this.
Just what the fleet and town needs.
IF only the US were a leader in domestic production of Li cells and batteries....
And baby formula...and drugs....and eggs...
This is good pollution.
Oregon has one of the largest lithium deposits in the world, Biden just declared it national monument.
If it burns to the waterline, all the sunshine will leak out of the hull.
But.....But.....It’s a “good” fire.
We’re saving the planet, dontcha know.
Gilligan didn’t choose to go on a trip past three hours and look what what happened.
You sign on a tour of duty with a ship, and ride it through. Tough sh!t. Choices have consequences.
WOW! That’s two in two days. Oh....... Well the “two” is right keeping it offshore. Alaska could go up in flames if it got too close. 😳
We should make sure all of these port at DC.
Of course he did. Xi has the films of him with the little girls.
One more cargo ship is heading to the scrapyard.
Wait...isn't that CO2....what's driving up the world's temps??
And we need more of it??
Lithium ion batteries, especially on the scale used in EVs, are too dangerous. Some other high energy density battery technology that isn’t so volatile needs to replace them.
I hope no lithium ions get into the ocean.
Yeah, all that work they did on non-flammable gasoline really improved things.
Just wait until the massive cargo ships run on batteries ,LOL
I think Toyota has said they’re close on something. Remains to be seen.
If only we had more EVs
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