A major firefighting and salvage operation is continuing aboard the 23,986-gross-tonne Blue Carrier 2 after a fire broke out while the Greek-flagged ro-ro vessel was sailing north of Mykonos on September 25th. All 29 people on board, comprising 28 crew members and one truck driver, were evacuated safely and transferred to Tinos.
The fire was reported at ~08:57 local time while Blue Carrier 2 was operating its scheduled service from Piraeus to Syros, Vathy, Kos, Rhodes, Kos and back to Piraeus. The vessel was carrying 166 trucks and 29 private passenger vehicles at the time of the incident. The Hellenic Coast Guard said the casualty occurred ~4.5 nautical miles north of Mykonos and 7.5 nautical miles east of Tinos.
Attica Group, the parent company of Blue Star Ferries, said the vessel’s onboard firefighting procedures were activated immediately and the relevant authorities were notified. An organised evacuation was subsequently carried out using the vessel’s own evacuation arrangements. The 29 people were later taken to Tinos and reported to be in good health.
Greek authorities mobilised multiple vessels to the casualty. The response included Hellenic Coast Guard patrol vessels, firefighting vessels operated by the Fire Service, tugs and a specialised salvage vessel. The salvage tug Aigaion Pelagos, equipped for firefighting operations, was also deployed from Piraeus.
The vessel was subsequently taken under tow to a sheltered position off the southwestern side of Tinos, where firefighting and cooling operations have continued. According to the latest Hellenic Coast Guard update on September 27th, five tugboats were operating in the area and active fire pockets remained on board. A preliminary investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Tinos Port Authority.
Earlier reports indicated that the fire had spread from the vehicle deck and that the vessel developed a list as firefighting water accumulated inside the ship. The immediate priorities included stabilising the vessel, continuing firefighting operations and preventing possible marine pollution.
The precise cause of the fire has not been officially established. Greek maritime reports have indicated that the fire may have originated in a truck in garage No. 4, but this remains subject to investigation.
Blue Carrier 2 was built in Japan in 1997 and entered service as Clementine. The 23,986-gross-tonne vessel has ~2,307 lane metres of cargo capacity. Attica Group acquired the ship in 2023, and it was renamed Blue Carrier 2 in January 2024 before entering Greek domestic freight service under the Blue Star Ferries brand.
Attica Ferries has appointed specialised companies to undertake salvage and environmental protection measures in cooperation with the relevant authorities. The outcome of the ongoing firefighting operation and subsequent inspection will determine the extent of damage and the next steps for the vessel.