Fire Stricken Tanker Towed to New York
The disabled Hong Kong-flagged tanker Feng Huang AO sits at anchor off the coast of New York City, Oct. 8, 2018. The freighter had become disabled after a fire broke out in their engine room causing major damage to machinery. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo courtesy of Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak)
The disabled Hong Kong-flagged tanker Feng Huang AO sits at anchor off the coast of New York City, Oct. 8, 2018. The freighter had become disabled after a fire broke out in their engine room causing major damage to machinery. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo courtesy of Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak)
A 479-foot asphalt tanker was towed into New York Harbor after an engine room fire left the vessel disabled off the U.S. East Coast.
Early on October 5, U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders in Woods Hole, Mass. received a report that the Hong Kong-flagged tanker Feng Huang AO loaded with asphalt and bound for New York Harbor suffered a fire in its engine room while transiting 57 miles southeast of Nantucket Island.
The flames were extinguished using the ship’s installed carbon dioxide fire suppression system. The ship’s electrical generators and main engine were disabled by the blaze.
There were no reported injuries to any of the 21 crew members on board, and no reports of pollution.
“This was a significant engine room fire that damaged a number of vessel systems, and we are fortunate there were no injuries,” said Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Coast Guard Cutter Legare, a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter, homeported in Portsmouth, Va., was diverted to the area to assist the stricken vessel.
Salvage tugs were dispatched to rendezvous with the Feng Huang AO and take it under tow. Towing operations toward New York began early Sunday morning with Coast Guard Sector New York personnel closely monitoring the vessel’s transit through offshore shipping lanes.
Inspection crews from Coast Guard Sector New York and Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Special Operations Command firefighters and Rescue Paramedics boarded the vessel Monday afternoon to assess damage and ensure the ship’s safety prior to allowing entry into New York Harbor.
The stricken tanker will remain in port until repairs are completed.
Capt. Tama said, “Responding to this case required close coordination between numerous partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure the safety of the ship and the port, and to protect the environment. The assistance and expertise provided by FDNY marine firefighters was essential to the safe resolution of this case.”
“The Port Security Grant Program has funded many training evolutions for the FDNY, which has translated into the successful multi-agency execution during this live event,” said John Esposito, FDNY Chief of Special Operations. “The collaboration during this incident exemplifies the importance of strong relationships between the FDNY and the Coast Guard.”
