According to the maritime magazine Schuttevaer, Boskalis has been called in to salvage the ship. According to the American newspaper, the ship Felicity Ace was en route from the German port city of Emden to Davisville in the United States. More than 300 kilometers off the coast of the Azores, the ship ran into problems when a fire broke out, after which the entire crew was evacuated.
Spectacular images from the Portuguese coast guard show the crew members being removed from the nearly 200-metre-long burning ship by helicopter. No one was injured in this “physically demanding” operation.
4000 vehicles
It is unclear whether the ship’s cargo should be considered lost. According to The New York Times, Volkswagen has confirmed that there are 4,000 vehicles on board the ship. A spokesperson for the American branch of Porsche confirms that 1100 Porsches are involved and “that the fate of the vehicles is unknown.” There would also be 189 Bentleys on board the Felicity Ace.
US customers who are concerned about their vehicle ordered are advised to contact their dealer. The shipping company could not be reached for comment. The American NBC News reports that the shipping company is looking for a suitable tug, but that because of the size of the ship it is “unlikely” that it will be towed to the Azores.