A salvage team is on its way to assist a cargo ship, the Morning Midas, which is currently adrift in the Pacific Ocean, carrying nearly 3,000 vehicles. This maritime crisis unfolded after a fire broke out earlier this week off the coast of Alaska's Aleutian Islands.

The 600-foot long vessel is situated approximately 300 miles southwest of Adak Island. According to the United States Coast Guard, they are actively monitoring the situation using satellite technology, which allows them to track the ship's condition from a distance.

Images captured during the ongoing incident reveal the Morning Midas still releasing smoke days after the initial distress signal was sent. Thick plumes of smoke can be observed spiraling into the atmosphere, a concerning sight indicating the severity of the situation.

Fortunately, all 22 crew members aboard the ship were able to evacuate safely into a lifeboat on Tuesday afternoon. They were later rescued by a nearby merchant vessel and have been under the care of the rescue ship as of Thursday, as confirmed by Zodiac Maritime, the London-based management company overseeing the Morning Midas.

The fire ignited around 3:15 PM on Tuesday while the ship was in transit, transporting approximately 70 high-powered fully electric vehicles alongside about 680 hybrid cars, as well as a wider array of vehicles destined for a major Pacific port in Mexico. This cargo reflects a growing trend in the automotive industry towards electric and hybrid vehicles, highlighting their increasing prominence on global shipping routes.

The Morning Midas embarked on its journey from Yantai, China, on May 26. Although the Coast Guard has noted that the figures regarding the number of vehicles on board are preliminary, the final count is likely to have significant implications for the ongoing salvage and environmental concerns.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Experts have raised concerns about the lithium-ion batteries commonly found in electric vehicles, which can pose serious challenges during firefighting efforts due to their high combustibility once ignited. It’s well-documented that lithium fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish, burning intensely and for extended durations.

A tugboat equipped with salvage experts and firefighting gear is anticipated to reach the Morning Midas by early next week, according to Zodiac Maritime. Additionally, a second tugboat, designed for enhanced ocean towing capabilities, is being arranged to facilitate the operation.

For the time being, the ship's satellite systems serve as the primary means for officials to remotely assess its status and any potential hazards.

Built in 2006 and registered under a Liberian flag, the Morning Midas has raised environmental concerns due to the potential for toxic leaks or structural failures during this crisis. Officials are keeping a close watch on the situation, as the fire could spread to fuel tanks, creating a significant environmental threat should the vessel sink or leak hazardous materials into the ocean.

Fires involving electric vehicles introduce unique dangers that can lead to severe structural compromises, increasing the risk of hazardous substances being released into marine ecosystems.

The Morning Midas has been compared to a similar incident earlier in 2023, where another car carrier transporting around 3,000 vehicles, including nearly 500 electric cars, caught fire while en route from Germany to Singapore. That fire raged for an entire week, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries before the ship was finally towed to port in the Netherlands. In the aftermath of that event, Dutch safety authorities advocated for enhanced emergency response protocols for vessels carrying electric vehicles.