ANCHORAGE (AP) – A cargo vessel carrying lithium-ion batteries has been ordered to continue to Alaska after a fire was reported in its cargo hold.
The United States Coast Guard said on Friday the fire is contained but ongoing.
The 125-metre cargo ship Genius Star XI was directed to continue to the port at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. A Coast Guard airplane and the Coast Guard ship Alex Haley were sent to assist.
The ship was located about 362 kilometres southwest of Dutch Harbor when they reported the fire early on Thursday morning, the guard said in a release.
The vessel is owned by Wisdom Marine Group of Taiwan.
A spokesperson said in an email that there were no injuries to the 19 crew members and no oil has leaked.
It was headed to San Diego with the batteries from Vietnam, the email said. Crew members released carbon dioxide into the hold when the fire was detected on Monday.
“Concerned about the potential risk of explosion, the hold was kept sealed,” the email said, adding that crew have been monitoring the hold vents and temperatures.
When the ship does arrive, it will remain offshore as response crews prepare to assist, the Coast Guard release said.
