Containership MOL Prestige Adrift Off British Columbia After Fire; Two Crew Medevaced

MV MOL PRESTIGE. Photo: Shipspotting.com

A 293-meter containership is adrift off British Columbia, Canada after suffering an engine fire which knocked out power to the vessel.

Canadian search and rescue officials said late Thursday they were monitoring the container ship MOL Prestige, which had suffered an engine fire and was adrift approximately 207 nautical miles southwest of Haida Gwaii at time of last the update.

SAR crews have hoisted two crew members from the vessel for medical care.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir Wilfrid Laurier has been sent to assist the vessel along with other air assets.

We are tracking that the container ship MOL Prestige has suffered an engine fire and is adrift 207nm SW of Haida Gwaii. Working with @CCG_GCC and @Transport_gc, CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a CC-115 Buffalo and a Cormorant helicopter have been sent to help.

— Victoria JRCC CCCOS (@VicJRCC_CCCOS) February 2, 2018

SAR crews from 442 Sqn have hoisted 2 crew members from MOL Prestige and are transporting them to medical care aboard a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter. @CCG_GCC CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier is still enroute.

— Victoria JRCC CCCOS (@VicJRCC_CCCOS) February 2, 2018

The Singapore-flagged MOL Prestige was en route from Roberts Bank, Canada to Tokyo, Japan when the incident occurred. The vessel departed on Monday, January 31, and was due to arrive in Tokyo on February 8. 

According to reports, as many as five crew members on board may have suffered injuries, including two with serious burns who were airlifted. 

The 71,902-ton MOL Prestige was built in 2006 and has a capacity of 6,350 TEU. It is managed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. 

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