Car Carrier Fire

Jacksonville, FL | United States

A fire broke out on a car carrier laden with 2,400 vehicles, in the port of Jacksonville. Attempts were made to extinguish the fire with the onboard CO2 system and local resources, all unsuccessful.

Resolve Marine dispatched a team and was onsite within 12 hours. Utilizing local resources, the firefighting plan adopted a boundary cooling technique to prevent further spread of the fire internally on the vessel. Due to the closed nature of the car carrier, it was unsafe to attempt to fight the fire directly. This proved successful and the fire was declared out. The engine room and lower deck cargo was all saved.

After the fire, Resolve Marine transitioned into a cargo removal operation and caretaking operation to support the owners and stakeholders for the final disposition of the vessel. Due to local governmental regulations the cargo could not be offloaded from the vessel, though the condition of the vessel prevented the cargo from being carried onwards. Resolve Marine was able to work with the U.S. Coast Guard and other government bodies to receive permission and provide temporary stowage ashore for the disputed cargo. The owners were able to facilitate onward shipment of the undamaged cargo.

The vessel was ultimately towed away for scrap. Resolve Marine prepared the vessel for towage which included, the removal of the undamaged/intact bunkers, the temporary structural repairs to allow for onward sailing, preparing the tow bridal, and all associated plans and approvals from the U.S. Coast Guard and Class interests.