(1:39pm) The Ocean Countess, a small cruise ship belonging to a Greek cruise line, has caught fire off the coastĀ of Halkis, Greece. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage is currently unknown. The ship can be seen burning off the coastline in the video above. The video shows that the Ocean Countess is currently being aided by an unmarked cargo vessel and fire boats.
The Ocean Countess is currently owned by Majestic International Cruises and was recently chartered to Cruise & Maritime Voyages. The ship’s long term charter with Cruise & Maritime Voyages ended in 2012.
The Ocean Countess was originally built for Cunard as the Cunard Countess in 1975.
(12/1 – 11:10am)Ā Multiple news websites are reporting that only 5 crew members were aboard the Ocean Countess at the time of the fire. All 5 crew members have been safely evacuated from the ship. As of December 1, 2013 at 11:11am, the fire aboard the Ocean Countess has not yet been extinguished.
(12/2 5:25pm) The latest reports coming from Greek news agencies state that the fire onboard the Ocean Countess has finally been controlled by local safety forces. The fire began on Saturday while laid up in a Greek ship yard. At the time of the fire’s ignition, 5 crew members were onboard the Ocean Countess, but were quickly and safely evacuated from the ship. Reports claim that Greek authorities have begun investigating the cause of the fire. At this point, the damage to the nearly 40 year old ship seemsĀ devastatingĀ and crippling.
11 replies on “Ocean Countess Catches Fire Off The Coast Of Greece”
flappe and smoking ???
Oh My! I was on the Cunard Countess in 1980 – two week Caribbean cruise. Wondered what had happened to her.
Hi Cindy, We were cruising at the same time then, or rather you were cruising and I was working. Can you remember when in 1980 you were on board. It was a great ship and a very happy place to be.
June or July I believe – the trip was 2 weeks from San Juan – Grenada,
Barbados, St. Lucia (got off, stayed a week, then got back on the ship), St. Thomas, San Juan
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omg
So Sad to see the old girl end this way. I was an engineer on board from 1977 to 1983. I am amazed she went on for as long as she did, as she was falling apart when I left her. I don’t think we ever had all 4 of her engines running for more than a few days before something broke on one of them. Maybe insurance is better than scrap value, but then I have become a cynic in my old age.
An insurance job??
This is so sad to here, knowing the fire has not yet been put out with this & QE2 still in Dubai still in drydock, Totally the end of an Era. Happy times on both Ships meet so many lovely people simply the best times had.
Was on board in 2010 as Security Officer. Glad to see no one was hurt, any indications on cause
My dad was a crew member when she was the Olympic Countess. I went on two cruises with her and they were great times. Sad to see this happen to such a fine ship. Just glad to see that no one was hurt.