Rust-Covered LPG Carrier Catches Fire Off Phuket

Is anyone surprised that an LPG carrier covered in this much rust, also has a cloud of smoke billowing from its wheelhouse?

This is the Kantika, an 80-meter long LPG carrier which, for the past two months, has been anchored off Phuket, Thailand while selling its cargo of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)  According to a report in the Bangkok Post today, the vessel was worth approximately 600-million-baht prior to catching fire this afternoon.  In an incredible stroke of luck to the shipowner, and to the lone watch stander on board, the vessel had already offloading its entire cargo of LPG at the time of the incident.

Local firefighting assets were immediately rushed to the scene and the fire was out in approximately two hours according to reports.

Anchored less than one mile from the burning ship was the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier and the guided missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay.