The U.S. Coast Guard is currently responding to a fire onboard a vessel at the Port of Tampa.
At approximately 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, Coast Guard notification went out regarding a fire onboard the Sophie Oldendorff, a 742-foot Liberian-flagged cargo vessel. The Sophie Olendorff is pictured here on Olendorff Carrier’s web site.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
About 80 firefighters, 24 fire trucks and a fire boat are battling the blaze at the Port of Tampa. A cargo conveyor belt is burning aboard the 742-foot Sophie Oldendorff, which was transporting rock and gravel. Part of the belt has collapsed.
The ship’s 32 crew members are still on board but have been moved away from the blaze. No injuries have been reported, however the workers will undoubetdly be exposed to smoke.
Firefighters are using foam and water but are being hampered by the excessive heat and by the large metal housing enclosing the conveyor belt.
A dockside sulfuric acid pipeline has been shut off and crews are keeping the pipeline cool.
Investigators haven’t determined the extent of any damage to the Liberian-flagged ship.
