Rescue crews tow fishing boat to harbour after engine-room fire

mbl.is reported that rescue crews towed a small fishing boat to Suðureyri after a fire broke out in its engine room on Tuesday morning.

The Icelandic Coast Guard’s control centre received a report of the fire shortly before 8 a.m. The boat was about 20 nautical miles north of Flateyri.

Rescue ship crews from Kobbi Láki in Bolungarvík and Guðmundur í Tungu in Ísafjörður were dispatched at the highest priority, along with the crew of the Stella rescue boat in Flateyri. Firefighters from Ísafjörður travelled aboard Guðmundur í Tungu.

A helicopter crew was also called out, while nearby boats headed to the scene to assist. Thermal imaging cameras were used to assess the situation.

The fire appeared to be in the engine room. The boat’s fire suppression system was activated, and the engine room was sealed. The only person aboard was outside on deck when help arrived and was safe and not in danger.

The fire appeared to die down fairly quickly, although smoke continued to emerge from the engine room for some time. Once the rescue ships arrived, Kobbi Láki took the fishing boat in tow. A thermal imaging camera aboard Guðmundur í Tungu was used to check the situation and assess whether there was significant heat in the engine room.

The boat was towed to the harbour at Suðureyri, and the rescue vessels and boats then returned home.