The authorities in Arkhangelsk reported an increase in the fire rank on the dry cargo vessel Tersky Bereg, tied up at the pier, following a blaze that broke out on the ship. The regional Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia confirmed the upgrade in its official report, noting that additional forces and equipment were dispatched to the scene to bolster extinguishing efforts. In total, twelve units of basic and specialized firefighting apparatus, along with forty-five personnel, were mobilized to address the incident and prevent expansion of the fire through the vessel’s holds and deck areas.
Officials indicated that the fire began in the hold on the lower deck, and responders arrived to establish initial containment. By early afternoon, around 14:30 on Saturday, August 12, emergency services confirmed that measures had been taken to curb the blaze. Four GDZS units were directed to manage adjacent holds, while four cooling nozzles were employed to reduce the temperature of the metal structure. Crew safety and structural integrity were prioritized as oxygen access to the ignition zone was progressively blocked and the ship’s own internal fire suppression systems activated to assist the external firefighting teams.
Separately, reports from May described a separate maritime fire in Busan, South Korea, involving a Russian fishing vessel. In that incident, sixty-five crew members were evacuated and no injuries were reported. A large contingent of firefighting resources, including one hundred eight firefighters and thirty-eight pieces of equipment, responded to the scene and the blaze was brought under control after approximately six hours. Investigators suggested that the fire may have originated in a warehouse where fishing gear was stored, with cramped aisles on the vessel complicating efforts to access the source of the ignition and suppress the flames effectively.
In another note, earlier troubles were recorded near Vladivostok involving the dry cargo ship Erofey Khabarov moored at the pier. A separate blaze on that vessel prompted response from local crews. The situation underscored the ongoing risks faced by ships docked at ports and the importance of rapid coordination among harbor authorities, port firefighters, and ship crews to safeguard lives and cargo while protecting nearby infrastructure.
These incidents collectively illustrate the typical sequence followed by port-based firefighting operations: rapid assessment of fire origin, deployment of nearby units to contain spread, application of cooling measures to prevent structural collapse, activation of on-board suppression systems where feasible, and continuous monitoring of air and structural integrity to ensure the safety of personnel. Port authorities stress the need for constant readiness and diligent adherence to safety protocols, especially on vessels carrying hazardous or easily combustible cargo. The lessons drawn from Arkhangelsk, Busan, and Vladivostok reinforce the value of coordinated multi-unit responses, clear communication lines, and robust emergency training to minimize damage and protect lives in busy maritime hubs.