Fire on "loyal servant" DFDS ferry Caesarea Trader en-route to Portsmouth with crew told to "abandon ship"
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A fire broke out aboard a cargo ferry that’s en-route to Portsmouth with the crew told to “abandon ship”..
MV Caesarea Trader, operated by DFDS, was sailing off the coast of the Isle of Wight when the fire started. The vessel is currently anchored off the coast of Shanklin after the incident was first reported to HMS Coastguard at roughly 3.45pm yesterday (February 9).
She will now be towed to Portsmouth. The fire started in the ship’s engine room. One source told The News that the DFDS crew have been told to “abandon ship”. They added that three tug boats, VB Englishman', VB Scotsman' and SD Bountiful, were deployed to the scene to tackle the blaze.
A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “At around 10pm, the situation on board the vessel was reported as stable, with all 24 persons on board accounted for and well. The vessel currently remains at anchor, with intentions to tow the vessel to Portsmouth Harbour pending further checks later this morning.”
The coastguard search and rescue helicopter was sent to undertake thermal imaging of the vessel, along with Bembridge RNLI lifeboat and the Portsmouth tugs. The lifeboat crew was stood down at 8.20pm after remaining on scene as a precaution.
MV Caesarea Trader - previously named Commodore Goodwill - was reflagged under the UK flag last year and transports freight between the Channel Islands and Portsmouth. She began her career at Condor Ferries in 1996, and was described as a “loyal servant” to the Channel Islands. It has also been used to ferry passengers there.
Operator DFDS said it was "making necessary steps to maintain continuity of freight links to Jersey". Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, KHM Portsmouth, and DFDS have been approached for further details.
A Royal Navy Spokesperson said: “We are currently providing two Tugboats to support the cargo ship Caesarea Trader in getting to its original destination of Portsmouth International Port.'”