Grimaldi Conro Drifting in the English Channel After Fire is Extinguished

Rescue teams from France, the Netherlands, and the UK cooperated to respond to a distress call this morning, February 18, from a Grimaldi vessel southbound in the English Channel. The vessel is still reporting that it is drifting while a tug and other resources are standing by after a fire was extinguished.

The Grande Brasile (26,000 dwt) issued a distress at 0935 the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency reports. The vessel told the authorities that there was a fire aboard, and it was later reporting no propulsion or steering capabilities.

Built in 2000, the Malta-registered ship is a Conro, a unique combination of …