Cable layer ship catches fire at Walvis

A cable laying ship is a type of sea going vessel which is used to lay communication cables the ocean floor.

By yesterday, witnesses said, the ship that was identified as Chamarel, was still emitting dark clouds of smoke offshore within sight of the many curious residents who flocked to the beach.

Walvis Bay Nampol Detective Inspector George Xoagub, told Namibian Sun that investigations are under way to establish the cause of the fire that allegedly started in one of the ‘cabins’ in the ship.

Xoagub said the six crew members who were on board were rescued by a fishing vessel also out at sea, minutes after the inferno broke out onto the deck. The crew members were then transferred onto the Nathaniel Maxuilili patrol vessel, which had received the distress call.

Xoagub added that the six crew members have since been treated at the Walvis Bay Hospital and discharged yesterday afternoon.

Attempts to get comment from a Walvis Bay Directorate of Maritime Affairs official proved difficult as no one was available.