VOGE FANTASY

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Bulkcarrier to enter Belfast after toxic fire

After having been languishing at the mouth of Belfast Lough since May 15, 2014, following a toxic fire the "Voge Fantasy" was expected to finally dock in the next few days. The ship was carrying a cargo of grain from Ukraine to Belfast and had been refused to enter Belfast Harbour over fears that material in one of the holds was still smouldering. On May 15 a fire was reported in a hold of the "Voge Fantasy" while she was travelling off the coast of Cornwall en route from her last stop in Gilbraltar on May 10. The ship has been anchored in the outer reaches of Belfast Lough since its arrival due to concerns that the temperature in the hold remained too high after the fire was extinguished using carbon dioxide. The hold had to be kept secure because of the threat that chemical reactions between the maize, carbon dioxide and fumigant used to treat the grain could have produced a dangerous mixture of carbon monoxide and phosphine gases. While the fire was thought to have been extinguished, the authorities were concerned that opening the hold would allow an influx of air that could reignite any smouldering grain. Two crew members were brought ashore for medical treatment after the "Voge Fantasy" arrived, but they have since returned to the ship. The ship owners appointed a salvage company and the salvage plan was approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. A final check on the two affected cargo holds wase carried out on June 13 before the ship was given a berth in Belfast to unload undamaged cargo as soon as the safety certification were in place and a berth was available. The damaged cargo material was to be 'isolated' on board the vessel and also be discharged when the vessel is finally alongside. The Belfast Harbour continued to liaise with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and relevant authorities to assist with the incident. On June 8 the "Wilson North" had come alongside the "Voge Fantasy" as salvage experts oversaw the ship-to-ship transfer of stores and fuel which were delivered from Bangor Harbour to the stricken vessel with the approval of the MCA. Photo: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2040967