A fire in the engine room of the Greek bulk carrier Panoria off the coast of Taiwan, led to a dramatic rescue operation. Four crew members were airlifted to safety after sustaining injuries, including serious burns, while the remaining crew stayed aboard the drifting vessel.
- Four crew members were injured in an engine room fire on the Panoria.
- The Taiwan Coast Guard responded with multiple vessels and a helicopter.
- The injured crew were airlifted to a hospital in Kaohsiung for treatment.
- The remaining crew members stayed on board due to adverse weather conditions.
Incident Overview
On January 4, 2025, at approximately 1700 hours, the Panoria, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, sent out a distress call after experiencing a fire in its engine room. The vessel was located about 23 nautical miles southwest of Eluanbi, Taiwan. The crew managed to extinguish the fire, but not before four members sustained injuries.
Rescue Operation
The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA) quickly mobilized five response vessels to the scene. However, challenging weather conditions, including wave heights exceeding 12 feet, complicated the rescue efforts. To facilitate the evacuation, a helicopter aircrew from the Ministry of National Defense was also dispatched.
- Time of Incident: January 4, 2025, at 1700 hours
- Location: 23 nautical miles southwest of Eluanbi, Taiwan
- Response Units: 5 Coast Guard vessels, 1 helicopter
The aircrew successfully hoisted the four injured crew members aboard the helicopter by 1900 hours and transported them to Kaohsiung airport. From there, they were transferred to a local hospital for urgent medical care.
Condition of Crew Members
Among the four injured crew members, one suffered severe burns and scalds, while the other three sustained serious but less critical injuries. The remaining 17 crew members stayed on the Panoria, as the risk of further airlift operations was deemed too high under the prevailing conditions.
Vessel Background
The Panoria, built in 2008, is a geared bulk carrier with a deadweight tonnage of 54,000. It is owned and operated by a Greek company, Magna Marine. The vessel has a history of safety inspections, with its last two port state control inspections revealing a total of 19 deficiencies, including issues with fire pumps and firefighting equipment. Notably, the Panoria was detained in Indonesia two months prior due to deficiencies in its firefighting systems, sewage treatment, and oil filtering equipment, all of which were reportedly corrected before its departure.
The incident highlights the risks of fire safety on vessels. The swift response from the Taiwan Coast Guard and the successful airlift of the injured crew members underscore the importance of preparedness in emergencies at sea. As investigations continue, the focus will likely shift to ensuring the safety and compliance of the Panoria and its crew as they navigate the challenges of maritime operations.
Sources
- Four Evacuated From Drifting Bulker After Engine Room Fire, The Maritime Executive.
- Fire hits Greek bulker with four injured crew airlifted from ship | TradeWinds, TradeWinds.
- Four airlifted from Greek bulker after engine room fire, Lloyd’s List.
