Fire on Containership in New Orleans

Personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office New Orleans and the New Orleans Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire aboard a ship on the Mississippi River near the Napoleon Street Wharf yesterday.

All personnel aboard the 560-foot German-flagged container ship Libra Rio Grand safely evacuated after a fire was reported in the boat's engine room around 10:45 a.m. The engine room was sealed, and the ship's fire CO2 extinguishing system put out the fire.

MSO New Orleans sent a pollution response team, investigating officer, and a foreign vessel inspection team to the scene to investigate. An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescue crew was also dispatched to conduct an overflight assessment.

Two crewmembers were taken to Charity Hospital with minor injuries. No pollution was reported.

The Coast Guard works closely with state and local agencies to keep U.S. waterways safe for both commercial and recreational traffic.

The incident is currently under investigation.