Lithium-ion battery fire on cargo ship off Alaska finally extinguished after burning for days

This photograph, supplied by the U.S. Coast Guard, captures a reported fire incident aboard the 410-foot cargo vessel Genius Star XI, located approximately 200 miles southwest of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, on Thursday, December 29, 2023.

The fire burning in the hold of the cargo ship Genius Star XI in Alaska has now been successfully extinguished after several days. The U.S. Coast Guard, notified by the crew early Thursday, implemented emergency measures to prevent a potential explosion. In response to the lithium-ion batteries incident, the Coast Guard confirmed late Saturday that the fire had been put out, and the ship was directed to anchor near Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

All 19 crew members aboard the Genius Star XI are uninjured. According to a Coast Guard press release, technicians from the Salvage and Marine Firefighting team remain on board to ensure that the fire does not reignite. The ship has been directed to anchor in a protected location near Dutch Harbor to minimize the risk of a re-flash of the fire during the ongoing response efforts.

Captain Chris Culpepper stated in the press release that this protected Anchorage will contribute to the vessel's stability and reduce the risk of a fire re-ignition. The investigation into the origins of the fire is expected to commence once response efforts conclude.

The cargo ship transporting lithium-ion batteries from Vietnam to San Diego alerted the Coast Guard early on Thursday. Carbon dioxide was pumped into hold No. 1, where the fire originated, and the area was sealed to prevent a potential explosion.

The Coast Guard redirected the 410-foot cargo ship to Dutch Harbor, a busy fishing port in Unalaska, an Aleutian Islands community approximately 800 miles southwest of Anchorage. Upon arrival on Friday, the Genius Star XI was anchored 2 miles from the shore to mitigate potential risks of toxic gases to the community and environment. At the same time, response teams worked to extinguish the flames. The ship's owners, Wisdom Marine Group, have reported no oil leaks associated with the fire.

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