The U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) rescue helicopter ‘India Juliet’ has airlifted a team of nine fire fighters from East Sussex Fire Brigade to the ‘Oriental Highway’ to assist the crew who are currently controlling the fire on board believed to be on deck seven. The ‘Oriental Highway’ was on passage from Germany to Portugal carrying 484 cars when the fire aboard was reported to Dover Coastguard.
The vessel is currently anchored nine miles off Eastbourne in the English Inshore Traffic Zone. The Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel ‘Anglian Monarch’ is alongside and is boundary cooling. Hastings and Eastbourne lifeboats which were assisting, have been withdrawn and are standing by in the vicinity.