Ro-Ro/container carrier sparks international rescue mission

A major international rescue operation successfully evacuated 28 crew members from the Ro-Ro/container carrier Malta-flagged Grande Brasile.

The ship experienced a fire in a position approximately 15 nautical miles southeast of Ramsgate, United Kingdom on February 18, according to reports received by shipping claims specialist WK Webster.

As disclosed, the crew initially brought the fire under control but it later reignited. The power was unable to be restored to the vessel, WK Webster said, which consequently went adrift and was feared to be at risk of grounding, whereupon the vessel was taken under tow by a tug.

The crew later abandoned the vessel by lifeboat. The incident was confirmed by the Netherlands Coastguard which provided support together with French, and Belgian authorities.

The Netherlands coastguard aircraft provided the British coast guard with information and images.

By Tuesday evening, a tug made a towing connection with the burning vessel. Additional support vessels remained on site to support the operation.

The claims specialist WK Webster