Working Conditions Aboard the Msc-Polaris

In a somber turn of events, a crew member who went missing following the engine room blaze aboard the MSC Messina has been officially confirmed deceased. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore reported this development on July 10. The vessel, which docked in Singapore on July 6, is currently undergoing essential repairs at a local shipyard. As part of the ongoing Covid-19 protocols, six crew members have been placed under a 14-day quarantine at a designated facility. They will be allowed to return to the ship if they test negative for the virus, with continuous testing to follow while repairs are in progress. Additionally, arrangements have been made for the remaining 21 crew members to disembark from the MSC Messina and return to their home countries.

On June 25, the container vessel MSC Messina encountered a serious incident approximately 425 nautical miles from Port Blair, resulting in a fire onboard. Rapid responses came from the Indian Coastguard, which worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames, successfully achieving full control by the afternoon. During the crisis, one crew member among the 28 on board was reported missing, prompting extensive search efforts. The Vietnamese tug, TC Vigour (IMO: 9443530), was enlisted to assist in safely towing the MSC Messina towards Singapore, while the Indian Coastguard's INS Vishwast remained in the area, providing security and support. In collaboration with Sri Lanka's navy, communication was efficiently coordinated with the ship and surrounding vessels, ensuring everyone was informed of the situation. The MSC Messina was safely towed into Singapore’s harbor on July 6. Following its arrival, the container ship has commenced necessary repairs after unloading its cargo. The Port Blair Maritime Control Center is continuing to monitor the situation closely. For detailed updates and visuals of this maritime operation, visit [Africa Ports](https://africaports.co.za/#3799) and follow the Indian Coast Guard on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/IndiaCoastGuard/status/1409159661375266827).

On June 24, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., the container ship 'MSC Messina', carrying a crew of 28, encountered a catastrophic engine room fire while navigating the Indian Ocean. The incident occurred approximately halfway between Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the Malacca Strait, as the ship was making its way to Singapore. Having departed from Sri Lanka on June 22, the vessel was located about 480 nautical miles off the southern coast of the country when it became disabled and adrift, approximately 425 nautical miles from Port Blair. Tragically, one crew member was reported missing following the incident. The MRCC Port Blair quickly mobilized a coordinated response, utilizing the nearby container ship 'MSC Deila' to assist. In addition, Coast Guard patrol boats and aircraft were dispatched to the site to aid in the emergency response efforts. For more information, see the update from the India Coast Guard: https://twitter.com/IndiaCoastGuard/status/1408343348998406153