Harbour staff thank those who tackled fire that destroyed ‘Lalibela’
Photo courtesy of Port Camille Raylon
Port Camille Raylon’s management has thanked everyone who quickly helped to intervene when a fire engulfed the 42-metre superyacht Lalibela moored in the port in the early hours of Saturday (13th October) morning.
The Maltese-flagged superyacht was moored at the port’s south quay when the fire broke out at about 3am.
Expressing thanks on the port’s website, management said: “The alert was raised by a port officer working night shift who contacted the harbour masters and the rest of the officers.
“All the agents off-duty or on leave came spontaneously to lend aid in the night.
“The team of Port Camille Rayon responded immediately, following the emergency response plan and started with the isolation of the boat to avoid the spreading of the fire.
“Most of the crews were ready to evacuate but despite this two 45 metre yachts had to be towed and secured.
“They then deployed a no-pollution boom around Lalibela.
“The team of the port acted as one with the firefighters and the supervisors of the ports of Golfe- Juan – Vallauris so everyone could work safely in the best conditions.
“This faultless cooperation allowed the (leaking) oil to be concentrated around the “Lalibela” before the company Eco Tank started pumping with an “oléophilic skimmer”, a small machine with filter discs that separate water from gas oil (diesel).”
The fire posed a risk of pollution in the port, however the actions of those that quickly helped significantly limited the damage.
The team at Port Camille Raylon is now focused on the grounding and removal of the superyacht.
Lalibela was completed in 1972 and built by the Italian shipyard Benetti. Refurbished in 2013 she had 6 en-suite bedrooms and could accommodate 12 guests.