The ro-pax vessel was at the Nuova Meccanica Navale shipyard for refitting (including repainting) in preparation for its upcoming charter deployment after being transferred from Moby (Tirrenia)

The flames on the GNV Phoenix ferry have been extinguished. This took 12 hours. In a statement, GNV announced the news, explaining that "Regarding the events involving the former Athara ship in the port of Naples last night, the company can confirm that the fire has been completely extinguished". The coordination of extinguishing and safety operations with the Fire Brigade, the Coast Guard, and the competent authorities was constant. The rapid intervention and collaboration of all parties involved meant that the situation could be managed in a coordinated and effective manner."

In a statement, GNV explained what happened:

At 18:40, the captain of the former Athara vessel, which is currently docked at the Naples shipyards for scheduled repairs, reported a fire on deck 7. The company immediately activated all the necessary safety procedures and alerted the Fire Brigade and the relevant authorities promptly. Three tugboats and onshore firefighters quickly responded to the scene. All 85 crew members on board were safely disembarked.

The company then explains how the crew was evacuated:

The crew members who were not essential to the operations evacuated, and the company accommodated them aboard another vessel, which was also moored at the dockside for maintenance. Only personnel who were strictly necessary for technical support and recovery operations remained aboard the vessel that caught fire. No injuries or danger to personnel were reported. The reason for the fire is not yet known, and the authorities are investigating. The fire is now under control, and the affected area is being cooled down and secured.

The Port Authority: "The rescue operation was successful."

In a statement, the Port Authority confirmed that the fire broke out shortly before 19:00. 'At approximately 18:45 today,' it wrote, 'the Operations Room of the Port Authority – Naples Coast Guard received a distress call from the La Nuova Meccanica Navale shipyard in the Port of Naples, reporting a fire on board the Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) vessel Phoenix (used for transporting passengers and rubber-tyred vehicles) on deck 6.'

The ro-pax vessel 

The ro-pax vessel was at the Nuova Meccanica Navale shipyard for refitting (including repainting) in preparation for its upcoming charter deployment after being transferred from Moby (Tirrenia). It was to be rebranded as Adria Ferries and renamed the AF Phoenix, to operate on the Brindisi–Durres route in the Adriatic Sea. The Ancona-based shipping company is now awaiting further investigation into the fire's full impact on its machinery, equipment, and onboard spaces, and whether it will need to seek additional tonnage for the Italy-Albania route.

Firefighting operations are ongoing, and no injuries

The extinguishing of the flames is still underway, and there have been no reported casualties. The Port of Naples has not had to suspend maritime traffic and commercial operations because the event, which took place in the affected area, did not endanger the safety of maritime and port activities. The only exception to this is the docks where the ship involved in the fire is moored and the stretch of sea off it where rescue vessels and operators engaged in delicate firefighting operations are working. The Naples Coast Guard is still responsible for regulating and monitoring the port, and providing mariners with the information they need to ensure the safety of navigation and human life at sea.

Related: The Antares ferry is about to leave the GNV fleet.

Source : Italy Media

#Naples Coast Guard # Port of Naples # GNV Phoenix #Meccanica Navale shipyard #Fire # former Athara ship# Room of the Port #(GNV) #Moby