The Cargo Letter

M/V Ever Decent Update

Los Angeles International Airport
25 August 1999, Late PM

All Hands,

Further to our last report to you, tonite we have received word from a private source in the UK which provides a better understanding of cargo damage for the merchant M/V Ever Decent, bound for Los Angeles with 3800 containers, after the collision with M/V Norweigian Dream.

As we predicted, matters are worse than first reported. At this hour, the Lloyds report remains the same as last night. Lloyds says fire still raging, but the personal report to us this afternoon (2 PM Pacific) suggests crisis is over. The next threat to the vessel will be its greatest challenge, an assualt by the lawyers!

DEAR MCD:

LATEST NEWS FROM M.C.A. WEBSITE AND TELEVISION REPORTS AND PICTURES EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO NORWEGIAN DREAMS BOWS AND LOOKS AS IF SHE HIT EVER DECENT IN THE PORT SIDE FORE MIDDLE HOLD 5 MINIMUM NUMBER CONTAINERS THROWN ONTO FORE DECK OF CRUISE SHIP ALSO SOME CONTAINERS OVERBOARD. FIRE UNDER CONTROL WITH 5 FIRE TUGS SPRAYING TO COOL CARGO AND ATTEMPTING TO PUT OUT INDIVIDUAL FIRES INSIDE CONTAINERS. EVER DECENT SEEMS STABLE AND IS EXPECTED TO MAKE FOR ZEEBRUGGE UNDER OWN POWER WITH A LARGE TUG IN ATTENDANCE.

HOPE THIS HELPS
MIKE PATTERSON
BELMONT@COURIER.UK

WOW! It was a broadside hit! I imagine there will be some questions.

I suspect there will be some unemployed bridge officers.

The Master will, of course, be executed.

xxxxoooooo,

McD