EVERYONE on board a DFDS cargo ship has been confirmed safe after the vessel caught fire on its way from Jersey to Portsmouth this evening.
The Caesarea Trader was anchored off the Isle of Wight coast when the blaze started in the engine room at around 4.15pm on Monday 9 February.
The cargo ferry – which was previously the Condor-owned Commodore Goodwill – left Jersey earlier today and was headed for Portsmouth when the incident occured.
An RNLI lifeboat, tug vessels and a search and rescue helicopter were all dispatched to the scene.
It is understood the ship suddenly lost all power before the fire was discovered. The cause of the blaze is currently unknown.
In a statement issued this evening, a DFDS spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Caesarea Trader experienced a fire in the engine room earlier today.
“All crew members and the one passenger who was travelling with the vessel are safe.
“The vessel is currently anchored in a safe location off the Isle of Wight, and the fire is under control.
“DFDS are making necessary steps to maintain continuity of freight links to Jersey.”
