22 Crew Rescued from Lifeboat After Fire Hits Ship Carrying 3,000 Cars in North Pacific

A cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric vehicles destined for Mexico, was abandoned by its crew due to an uncontrollable fire while navigating the waters off Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. Smoke was first reported at the stern of the ship, Morning Midas, on Tuesday, prompting a response from U.S. Coast Guard and the ship’s management company, London-based Zodiac Maritime.

Fortunately, all 22 crew members were safely evacuated onto a lifeboat and rescued by the crew of a nearby merchant vessel, the Cosco Hellas. The incident transpired approximately 300 miles southwest of Adak Island, which is about 1,200 miles west of Anchorage.

Although the crew initiated emergency firefighting measures using the ship’s onboard fire suppression system, they were unable to contain the flames. Zodiac Maritime confirmed that they were in contact with relevant authorities and working closely with emergency responders as a tug was deployed to assist with salvage and firefighting efforts.

Their primary concern remains the safety of the crew and the protection of the marine environment. The U.S. Coast Guard responded by sending aircraft and a ship to the area.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the status of the fire was still unclear, but smoke was continuing to rise from the vessel. Rear Admiral Megan Dean, commander of the Coast Guard’s Seventeenth District, acknowledged the successful rescue efforts and noted the importance of determining how to recover the ship.

The 600-foot Morning Midas, built in 2006 and sailing under a Liberian flag, was transporting vehicles from Yantai, China, to Lazaro Cardenas, a significant Pacific port in Mexico. This incident follows calls for improved emergency response protocols in the maritime industry, particularly after a previous fire incident involving a freighter carrying electric vehicles.

As maritime trade continues to grow, addressing safety concerns is paramount.