Cargo Ship Headed To North Kingstown Sinks Off Coast Of Azores

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — A cargo ship carrying cars from Germany to North Kingstown sank off the coast of the Azores Tuesday morning after catching fire last month, officials said.

The vessel, named"Felicity Ace," sank around 9 a.m. local time, after tipping onto its right side, according to the vessel's website. The ship's last known location was 220 nautical miles off the Azores.

Salvage crafts remain in the area, monitoring the situation, a spokesperson for MOL Ship Management, the ship's manager, said.

The vessel was on its way to the Port of Davisville in Quonset before it caught fire on Feb. 16. There were about 1,500 vehicles aboard the cargo ship, including Volkswagens, Audis, Porches and Bentleys, a spokesperson for Quonset Development Corp., told WPRI 12.

Portuguese fire officials extinguished the fire, and emergency officials rescued all 22 crew members. Officials said no injuries were reported.