In a live media briefing today, the Canadian Coast Guard provided updates regarding the MV Zim Kingston vessel fire and loss of cargo containers.
At around 11 a.m. Saturday, flames could be seen coming from the MV Zim Kingston, the same vessel that lost an estimated 35 to 40 cargo containers in rough seas west of Vancouver Island on Thursday.
Crew aboard the vessel tried to fight the fire, but were unable to do so. Later that night, 16 out of the 21 total crew members were evacuated from the ship and the remaining five remained onboard to assist battling the fire.
Emergency crews have not been able to extract the remaining crew members due to high-winds since Sunday.
Currently, weather is being monitored in order to transport the remaining five crew members off the boat. However, current weather conditions are currently preventing rescue crews from boarding the vessel.
Rescue crews are currently waiting for a window of opportunity to rescue the remaining crew members from the MV Zim Kingston.
The Coast Guard, Ministry of Environment, CRD and First Nations groups continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
The vessel remains securely anchored and there has been no reported drifting of the vessel overnight.
At this time, there are no visible flames on board the vessel but smoke is still present. Pockets of flames are still a possibility and cause for concern.
Thankfully, increased wind conditions did not reignite the flames.
There are no records of any contaminants of concern that are at risk to the residents of Greater Victoria.
The shipping containers are currently drifting 12 nautical miles off the coast of Vancouver Island. Although they are not anticipated to come ashore there is still the possibility some could.
The vessel’s owner has contracted a local company that is equipped to handle the debris in the event they do come ashore.
If you do come across them you are asked to report them to the 1-800-889-8852 reporting line.
The cause of the flames are still unknown.
