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The blaze started in one of the ship\u2019s parking decks and spread to other areas, prompting the 29 people on board to abandon ship. All were later reported in good health.<\/p>\n
Executives from the salvage company leading the firefighting operation said the priority is to stabilize the ship and create safe conditions so a specialized team can enter the interior.<\/p>\n
Blue Carrier 2 has tilted slightly to starboard because of the large volumes of water used to cool overheated steel plates and bring down the high temperatures that built up inside the vessel.<\/p>\n
The next step is to pump the water out to improve stability. After that, a recovery team is expected to inspect the decks where the fire started and spread, then decide how to proceed.<\/p>\n
Firefighting and cooling operations continued Saturday. The salvage tug Aigaion Pelagos<\/strong>, which arrived Friday afternoon, remains central to the water-dropping effort.<\/p>\n Once the fire is fully out and the ship is judged safe to move, authorities will consider towing it to a port. That decision will be made with the Coast Guard and Fire Department.<\/p>\n Rescue<\/strong><\/p>\n The 29 people on board \u2014 28 crew members and one truck driver \u2014 left the ship in two lifeboats and were transferred to a Coast Guard patrol boat, which took them to the port of Tinos. All are well.<\/p>\n Greece\u2019s Joint Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED) was alerted in the morning and mobilized immediately. A coordination videoconference later brought together Coast Guard and Fire Department leadership, the shipowner, and the salvage company.<\/p>\n Blue Carrier 2 was on the Piraeus\u2013Syros\u2013Vathy\u2013Kos\u2013Rhodes\u2013Kos\u2013Piraeus route, carrying 166 trucks and 29 passenger cars<\/strong>. Greek reports say the fire likely began on a truck in garage No. 4. The cause remains under investigation.<\/p>\n Source: AMPE \/ Skai.gr, with additional reporting from Kathimerini and maritime outlets.<\/em><\/p>\n