The fire, which broke out in the vessel's wheelhouse, was brought under control about 11am. The value of the 84-metre Kanticha and its cargo of lpg gas, cooking gas and diesel was estimated at 600 million baht. The USS John C. Stennis anchored off Phuket before noon.


PHUKET: A ship carrying gas containers was burning off Phuket's east coast today, sparking concern with the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis due to anchor nearby.

The blaze broke out on the boat about 8am today at Patapao island.

Marine Police were called. By 9am they had rescued the only crewman from the blazing boat and ensured that other vessels were moved away from it.

The Stennis was due to anchor off Phuket early today but there was sign of the carrier and its two accompanying warships by 9.40am today.

American aircraft carriers always have a protective no-go zone around them when at anchor off Phuket.

A party of Phuket visitors waiting at Phuket deep sea port to go to tour the aircraft carrier could see the blazing boat.

''Flames were going very high,'' said Wal Brown, who is an International Liason Volunteer with Phuket police. ''It does not look like dying down quickly.''