Taokas-Wisdom

Port Nelson workers raised the alarm when a fire broke out aboard the "Taokas Wisdom" loading at Port Nelson tin the morning of July 11, 2013. Nobody was hurt but the ship's accommodation wing was seriously damaged. The ship had arrived from Shanghai on July 10 and was loading through the night at Kingsford Quay, opposite the Sealord complex. Just after 6 a.m. port workers on their break noticed smoke coming from the ship's accommodation area and rang the Fire Service. Two fire engines and an ambulance were sent, with a third fire engine sent as back-up in case the fire became more serious. The crew did a good job in dealing with the blaze, using the ship's hosereels. They had smashed a porthole to give better access. The fire had started in a cabin, possibly in an electrical appliance, and badly damaged the cabin and the companionway outside it. There was smoke damage throughout the rest of the accommodation. The crew had used a lot of water to put the fire out. Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and had used a thermal imaging camera to make sure there was no hidden fire still burning. They also used a ram fan to clear the smoke. The "Taokas Wisdom" was scheduled to sail for Picton later the day to load more logs, and it was not expected the fire would delay its departure. Report with photo: http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/264385/logging-ship-fire-nelson