A large cargo vessel, the Morning Midas, has sunk in international waters after a fire disrupted its navigation in the North Pacific, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The 600-foot ship capsized on Monday about 450 miles southwest of Adak, Alaska. It had been adrift since June 3, when the fire broke out, leading to the evacuation of its 22-member crew using lifeboats.
The Morning Midas was reportedly on its way from China to Mexico carrying about 3,048 vehicles, including 70 fully electric and 681 hybrid vehicles. Fortunately, no injuries to responders or crew were reported following the incident. The vessel has since sunk to an estimated depth of 16,400 feet.
Capt. Christopher Culpepper, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic, emphasized the safety of the responders as a top priority. He noted that they are working closely with Zodiac Maritime to ensure a prompt response to any potential signs of pollution. Notably, responding teams indicated there were no widespread signs of pollution detected in the ocean following the sinking.
The Coast Guard plans to continue monitoring the area in partnership with the vessel’s operator and contractors. An oil spill response vessel, the Endeavour, is en route from the Aleutian Islands to assist in recovery operations.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and the Coast Guard has not indicated whether the onboard electric vehicles had any connection to the incident. This event underscores the importance of maintaining safety protocols and response readiness in maritime operations.