Emergency crews tackle engine room fire on cargo ship off Isle of Wight

Emergency services were called after a fire broke out in the engine room of a cargo vessel anchored off the Isle of Wight.

HM Coastguard said it was responding to the incident involving the Caesarea Trader, which was at anchor to the east of Shanklin. A coastguard search and rescue helicopter was deployed to carry out thermal imaging of the ship, alongside Bembridge RNLI lifeboat and tug boats sent from Portsmouth.

The vessel, which was reflagged under the UK flag last year and was previously known as the Commodore Goodwill, operates freight services between the Channel Islands and Portsmouth.

Measuring 126 metres in length, the ship has a cargo capacity of around 1,250 cubic metres — roughly equivalent to 80 articulated lorry trailers.

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