Rescue operation saves 22 crew members from cargo ship ablaze with 3,000 vehicles onboard.

A significant maritime incident unfolded off the coast of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, where a fire aboard the cargo vessel Morning Midas forced the ship’s crew to abandon ship. The blaze, which began on Tuesday afternoon, continued to smolder as of Thursday, two days later. Fortunately, all 22 crew members were rescued safely without injury by the Greek merchant ship Cosco Hellas, approximately 300 miles southwest of Adak Island, which is situated 1,200 miles west of Anchorage, according to reports from the U.S. Coast Guard and shipping officials.

The Morning Midas, a Liberia-flagged vessel, was transporting a total of 3,048 vehicles, including 70 electric vehicles and 681 hybrid models. The vessel encountered trouble while navigating the northern Pacific Ocean en route from Yantai, China, to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. Smoke was first observed emanating from a deck designated for the electric vehicles, prompting immediate action from the crew, who employed onboard fire suppression systems in a futile attempt to control the blaze.

The crew issued a distress call around 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard’s 17th District command center to respond swiftly. The Cosco Hellas was one of three nearby shipping vessels that responded to the emergency. Additionally, the Coast Guard diverted the cutter Munro to the scene, launched a C-130J Super Hercules aircrew from Kodiak, and positioned an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew in Adak.

Rear Admiral Megan Dean, commander of the Coast Guard’s 17th District, praised the rapid response of neighboring vessels, acknowledging their critical role in the rescue mission, which ultimately saved the lives of the crew members aboard the Morning Midas. Salvage specialists and necessary equipment were reported to be en route, with expected arrival set for Monday.

The incident serves as a solemn reminder of the inherent dangers of maritime transport, particularly in the volatile environments of the northern Pacific. As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the situation, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of navigational routes and preventing similar incidents in the future. The situation is still developing and updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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