Hambantota International Port responds to fire on drillship

The Hambantota International Port Emergency Response Unit (ERU) together with the port’s Quality, Health, Safety & Environment Dept. (QHSE), and Port Control, responded to a fire that occurred on board the drillship “West Polaris,” on Tuesday, 15 evening.  The ship’s crew had alerted Port Control for assistance in dousing the sudden fire that had broken out in the ship’s emergency generator room.  

The ERU’s fire trucks arrived on the scene within minutes of being notified, assisting the crew to quickly contain the fire with charged fire hoses. The respective ERU teams brought the fire fully under control within 33 minutes of their arrival.  They were able to prevent serious damage to the ship, and its surrounding area.

“The joint effort of this venture reflects professionalism and assurance to HIP port users and stakeholders of optimum safety and proactive response to unforeseen events related in maritime operations,” says HIPG COO Tissa Wickramasinghe. 

The 14 year old “West Polaris’’ called at the Hambantota Port for a layup on 11 January 2021, and was at Berth six when the fire occurred.  The ship is expected to remain in port until June 2022.