The Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of 22 crew members from the motor vessel Min Jiang Kou after a fire broke out approximately 630 miles south of Costa Rica.
Coast Guard Southwest District watchstanders received an Inmarsat distress alert at 1:09 p.m. on Thursday. The alert reported an engine room fire aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged vehicle carrier.
Watchstanders then contacted the ship’s manager. The manager reported that the crew had activated the vessel’s carbon dioxide fire suppression system, which initially contained the fire.
Nearby vessels respond to distress call
The Coast Guard used the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) to alert nearby vessels and request assistance.
However, at 11:33 p.m., the crew reported increased smoke aboard Min Jiang Kou. The captain then ordered the crew to abandon the vessel using its lifeboats, while he remained aboard.
The motor vessel Jin Hai Ping and motor tanker Degu diverted to assist. Jin Hai Ping recovered all 22 mariners from the lifeboats, while Degu remained at the scene to provide support.
By 12:21 p.m. on Friday, all 22 mariners were safely aboard Jin Hai Ping. The vessel will transport them to Akita, Japan.
“The willingness of fellow mariners to answer a distress call reminds us of the extraordinary commitment the maritime community shares to protecting life at sea,” said Capt. Jessica Davila, Southwest District chief of incident management. “This rescue highlights the strength of international partnerships, and the vital role coordination plays in ensuring mariners in distress receive timely assistance.”
No environmental impact reported
Authorities have not reported any environmental impact from the incident.
Meanwhile, Min Jiang Kou is coordinating with Resolve Marine regarding further repairs.
