Fire on vessel Northern Alaskan in the Sea of Japan defies attempts to put it out

In the Sea of Japan, attempts have so far been of no avail to put out a fire aboard the ship Northern Alaskan, which broke out on Wednesday morning, RIA Novosti was told at the news and analysis center of Russia's State Fisheries Committee.

A crisis management center has been set up, chaired by Valery Svinukhov, master of the port of Vostochny. Taking part in extinguishing the blaze are a group of Russia's Emergencies Ministry personnel from the port of Nakhodka, 6 fire engines, and the tug Taifun.

The fire on the vessel started at 4:12 a.m. near old quays in the northern part of Kozmino Bay, in the port of Vostochny. Flames originated in the cabin of an electrical engineer and then spread to the other premises of the vessel.

Currently on fire are the upper deck of living accommodations, and a container with 40 tons of paint and corrugated packaging. The refrigerating chamber contains between 4 and 8.5 tons of ammonia. Firemen have been able to cut off fire from the fish-processing room and the engine and boiler compartment.

The commercial refrigerated ship Northern Alaskan is idle until May 2003 and is employed to service ships in the port. It was built in 1944, is owned by OOO Nemusco and is registered at the port of Magadan.