Crew abandons fishing vessel after fire breaks out

A fire broke out on a long line hake fishing vessel belonging to Merlus fishing company in the early hours of Sunday morning and the 25 crew members on board abandoned the vessel near Pelican Point.The fire damage to South West Eagle estimated around N$5 million is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault. The vessel which was heading to the Port of Walvis Bay, was carrying 11 tonnes of hake when the fire broke out Merlus fleet skipper, Willem Buckle, said the South West Eagle is a complete write-off.“The Department of Maritime Affairs (DMA) is busy with an investigation but initial indications are that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.” Merlus HR manager, Marlene Martins confirmed all crew members were rescued and that nobody was injured during the fire incident. Buckle said he received a call from Bertram Strauss the skipper of Ambrose Bay (another Merlus owned vessel) around 02:00 informing him that the South West Eagle was on fire. Reports indicate that the South West Eagle crew members initially kept the fire which started during the early hours of Sunday morning under control when it first broke out while the vessel was sailing towards Walvis Bay. The flames however reignited at around 03:00 and the situation deteriorated further after the auxiliary engine driving the vessel's onboard fire fighting system failed. The fire went out of control and the skipper of the South West Eagle Jason Mays ordered the crew to abandon the ship amid heavy fog and smoke which made the rescue operation extremely difficult.The Namport Omanda and Cormorant tug boats also rushed to provide assistance to the crew and to help douse the flame. The fire was subsequently brought under control and the South West Eagle was towed to the port of Walvis Bay around 06:00 on Monday morning. OTIS FINCK

Crew abandons fishing vessel after fire breaks out

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-18

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Crew abandons fishing vessel after fire breaks out

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-18

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