WATCH: Ocean Countess Cruise Ship on Fire in Greece – Update

Update (December 2, 2013) – Vernicos Salvage and Tug reports that the fire onboard the Ocean Countess has been brought under control through firefighting efforts by the crew of their Alexander 3 tug. Photos added below show extensive fire and smoke damage to the ship.

December 1, 2013 – Firefighting crews over the weekend were struggling to contain a fire onboard Majestic International’s Ocean Countess cruise ship while laid up at a shipyard in Greece.

Reports in the media say that the Ocean Countess caught fire Saturday at the Chalkis Shipyard near Chalkis (or Khalkis), Greece, north of Athens. All five crewmembers were evacuated safely, but as of Sunday firefighting crews were still trying to contain the blaze, reports say.

The Ocean Countess was launched as the Cunard Countess in 1976 and has been laid up at the shipyard for over a year since its last charter to UK-based Cruise & Maritime Voyages ended.

Reports indicate that the vessel is scheduled to re-enter service next year.

PHOTOS:

Images courtesy Vernicos Salvage and Tug