Chemical tanker crippled after fire off Irish coast
Crew put out fire, vessel's engines fail

A chemical tanker off the Irish coast suffered a fire in its engine room according to Irish media.

The vessel, the WEST SAILOR, a chemical tanker was about 16km off Brandon Head, Co Kerry when the fire broke out shortly after 2pm yesterday (Tuesday, 10th April)

The fire was contained by the crew but they could not restart the vessel's engines. It is expected that efforts will be made this morning to restart them. If that fails, said RTE, it is understood tugs from Foynes in Co Limerick will tow her into port.

The WEST SAILOR is registered in Malta, and operated by Vestland Marine of Poland.

The 3427 grt tanker was built in 1981 by Batservice Verft, Mandal, Norway as BROERE AQUAMARINE for Broere Shipping. She has also carried the name DUTCH SAILOR.

The crew are not said to be in any danger.

She had been delivering a cargo of sulphiric acid to Aughinish Alumina plant on the Shannon Estuary said RTE.