Blue Carrier 2 Abandoned After Garage Fire Off Mykonos
A fire broke out in the vehicle garage of the Greek Ro-Ro ferry Blue Carrier 2 on September 25 while it was sailing north of Mykonos. All 29 people on board, including 28 crew members and one passenger, were safely evacuated to Tinos with no injuries reported. The vessel, which was carrying 166 trucks and 29 cars, was abandoned after the blaze spread, though firefighting efforts have since contained the fire on deck. A specialized salvage tug is now working to cool the heated steel plates below deck and prevent the ship from running aground.
Key points
- The fire started at approximately 08:57 a.m. local time in the garage section of the Blue Carrier 2, a 1997-built vessel owned by Attica Ferries.
- The ship was traveling from Piraeus to Samos when the incident occurred, carrying a total of 195 vehicles.
- The Hellenic Coast Guard described the response as an 'extensive firefighting operation,' involving multiple patrol boats, firefighting speedboats, and helicopters.
- A salvage tug, the Aigaion Pelagos, arrived to spray water on the ship's sides to cool the heated steel plates and maintain a safe distance from the coast.
- No injuries were reported, and all personnel were transported to the nearby island of Tinos.
Background
This incident follows a series of recent maritime emergencies, including a fire on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in Qingdao in September 2026 that resulted in 25 deaths, and a collision between a cargo ship and a fishing vessel off Singapore in late September 2026. These events highlight ongoing concerns regarding fire safety and emergency response protocols in the global shipping industry.
How outlets are covering it
BBC reported the fire as a significant event requiring an 'extensive firefighting operation' but noted uncertainty regarding the cause. eKathimerini provided detailed operational updates, highlighting the use of a tugboat to cool the ship's steel plates and the containment of the fire on deck. The Maritime Executive focused on the vessel's abandonment and the subsequent salvage efforts, noting the ship's history and acquisition by Attica Ferries. DataPortuaria emphasized the scale of the emergency response, detailing the deployment of multiple Coast Guard vessels, firefighting boats, and helicopters to prevent marine pollution. While all sources agree on the safe evacuation and lack of injuries, they differ in their emphasis on the operational logistics and the vessel's background.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the risks associated with Ro-Ro ferry operations, particularly the potential for fires in vehicle garages to spread rapidly. The successful evacuation and the coordinated response by Greek authorities demonstrate the effectiveness of maritime safety protocols, while the ongoing salvage efforts highlight the challenges of managing large-scale maritime emergencies. The event also raises questions about the safety standards and maintenance of older vessels in the shipping industry.
What to watch
A specialized salvage team is expected to continue efforts to cool the Blue Carrier 2 and prevent it from running aground. Authorities are working to manage the situation and ensure that the vessel is towed to a safe location. Further investigations into the cause of the fire are likely to follow, and the incident may prompt a review of safety protocols for Ro-Ro ferries in the region.
- Watch: Smoke rises from burning Greek cargo ship near Mykonos BBC
- Firefighting operation continues at vehicle ferry off Mykonos eKathimerini.com
- Video: Greek Cargo RoRo Abandoned After Fire Breaks Out Off Mykonos The Maritime Executive
- Ro-Ro vessel Blue Carrier catches fire north of Mykonos, crew safely evacuated dataportuaria.com
- Fire breaks out on Ro-Pax ferry off Greece, all 29 on board evacuated safely Baird Maritime
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