Dole-Colombia Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On August 10, 2026, the crew of the 'Dole Colombia' faced a serious challenge as a fire broke out in the generator located in the engine room. This incident occurred shortly after the vessel's arrival from Moin at the Port of Wilmington. Around 12:12 p.m., emergency responders were summoned after the crew activated the CO2 suppression system in an effort to control the flames. Initial reports from the first arriving fire companies indicated visible smoke emerging from the ship. The ship's Captain promptly updated the responders regarding the fire's location. In response to the situation, a second alarm was raised, mobilizing all available Wilmington Fire Department (WFD) units and bringing in additional support from neighboring departments to assist with the incident and to cover city fire stations. The Incident Command team verified with the Captain that the engine room had been sealed off and that the onboard extinguishing system was actively engaged. Fortunately, the Captain confirmed that all crew members were accounted for and unharmed. Firefighters swiftly deployed hoses near the engine room to assess conditions and ensure that the suppression system was effectively containing the fire. Once it was verified that the extinguishment efforts were successful, the incident was brought under control, allowing some units to be dispatched back. Throughout the day, the fire department, in partnership with the Coast Guard and the ship’s crew, continued to monitor the engine room conditions and temperature levels. One firefighter from the WFD was transported for evaluation but is reported to be in stable condition. The responding fire units included: 1st Alarm: Engines 2, 1, 3; Squad 4; Ladders 2, 1; Battalion Chiefs 2, 1, 5; Deputy Chief 2; Chief of Department F-1; Ambulance 2; New Castle County Paramedics. 2nd Alarm: Engines 6, 5, 20 (Holloway Terrace), 22 (Minquadale); Ladder 17 (Five Points); Rescue 23 (Newport). Marine Units: 18 (New Castle), 15 (Delaware City), and 29 (Port Penn). Remarkably, this was the second fire incident for the 'Dole Colombia' in the engine room at the Port of Wilmington, with the previous occurrence taking place on June 31, 2021, which forced the vessel to return to its berth after leaving port. The onboard firefighting system was also deployed during that situation to bring the fire under control. For additional details and images from the incident, visit these reports: [Baird Maritime](https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/incidents/fire-ignites-on-reefer-ship-in-wilmington-delaware) and [Maritime Executive](https://maritime-executive.com/article/engine-room-fire-breaks-out-aboard-reefer-ship-dole-colombia).

On the evening of June 30, 2021, the 'Dole Colombia' faced a critical incident as flames erupted in its engine room while docked at the port of Wilmington, Philadelphia. The fire ignited on the Christina River shortly after the ship, carrying a crew of 30, had departed for Santa Marta. Demonstrating swift action, the crew effectively sealed off the affected area and engaged the CO2 fire suppression system, successfully extinguishing the blaze. Following the incident, the vessel returned to its berth without any reported injuries. The United States Coast Guard (USCG), alongside the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Wilmington Fire Department, and New Castle Fire Department, swiftly responded after the ship reached out to USCG Sector Delaware Bay around midnight. The USCG mobilized a response boat from Station Philadelphia to establish a safety perimeter, while firefighting units worked diligently to ensure the fire remained contained. As of July 2, the 'Dole Colombia' remained docked at the port, underscoring the effectiveness of emergency protocols in maritime safety.