Platinum-Ray Vessel Reviews and Specifications

A significant fire erupted aboard the 'Platinum Ray' car carrier on May 22, 2019, at 10:15 a.m. This alarming incident occurred while the vessel was actively loading newly manufactured vehicles at the Hyundai Motors shipping terminal in Ulsan. The ship was scheduled to transport 2,163 cars to the USA, comprising 1,643 Hyundai vehicles and 520 Kias, among them popular models like Kona and Tucson, across decks 1 to 5. In response to the distress call, the local fire brigade promptly dispatched 26 units and 103 firefighters within four minutes. A specialized team consisting of three firefighters and one crew member, who was familiar with the ship's layout, strategically ventured towards both the bow and stern to locate the fire's origin on the lower deck. Due to concerns over increased oxygen flow, they avoided using large passageways and instead navigated through hatches smaller than typical manhole covers, which posed further challenges as the cargo area was engulfed in thick smoke, severely limiting visibility. Upon reaching the third deck, firefighters detected an intense heat source, measuring 90 degrees via a thermal camera, with even higher temperatures noted on the first and second decks. Recognizing the perilous conditions, the team opted to deploy the ship's onboard carbon dioxide fire suppression system. Following the successful evacuation of personnel from the affected decks, all connecting doors were sealed to prevent fire spread. At 12:50 p.m., the fire suppression system was activated on decks one and two, effectively diminishing the flames. Firefighting crews then proceeded to enter these levels, extinguishing the remaining fires with hoses. After a grueling effort of five hours, the blaze was fully contained by 3:20 p.m. Sadly, the catastrophic incident resulted in the destruction of 30 vehicles on the first deck and 31 on the second. Fortunately, the diligence in fire fighting allowed for the rescue of 2,102 vehicles from further damage. The prompt activation of the carbon dioxide fire suppression system proved vital in reducing suppression time and mitigating extensive damage. Three individuals were treated for smoke inhalation, and one firefighter sustained injuries, necessitating a hospital visit. An inspection of the entire cargo will follow to assess any additional damages. For further details, refer to the Korean news reports with images at: http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/26/2019052600310.html, https://www.mk.co.kr/news/society/view/2019/05/339177/, https://www.instiz.net/pt?no=6131765&page=1&category=1.

On March 7, 2016, at approximately 10 a.m., the vehicle carrier 'Platinum Bay' encountered a challenging situation as it ran aground while nearing the bustling port of Buenaventura. The ship, carrying a considerable load of 500 vehicles, was navigating its way from Yokohama to Buenaventura when it struck a snag less than a mile offshore. Fortunately, after around seven hours of concerted efforts, the vessel was successfully refloated thanks to the assistance of two tugboats. By 5 p.m., 'Platinum Bay' resumed its journey to the port and later docked at the SPRBUN Container Terminal at 6:30 p.m. The incident was attributed to a navigational error, prompting discussions about maritime safety protocols.