United States Transportation Command

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (USTCNS) --- As many as 175 vehicles belonging to Department of Defense service members have been destroyed or damaged in a mid-ocean ship fire.

The vehicles were aboard the Tellus, an American Roll-on/Roll-off Carriers vessel, which docked June 14 in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Investigators have been inspecting the destroyed and damaged vehicles for the past week.

At this point in the investigation, it appears about 21 cars have been destroyed, said Bill Antonelli, vice president, American Auto Logistics, Inc., MTMC's prime contractor for moving privately owned vehicles.

Another 154 vehicles have varying amounts of damage, he said. Some of the vehicles have light damage - typically caused by smoke or ash.

Unaffected were 168 other privately owned vehicles and other MTMC cargo such as M-1 tanks. The 168 vehicles have been inspected, found to be damage free, and have discharged for release to their owners.

"We're in the process right now of identifying the owners of the affected vehicles, said Antonelli. "Prompt extinguishing of the fire is believed to have limited substantially the damage to cargo and vessel."

The heat and intensity of the fire destroyed many Vehicle Identification Numbers, he said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, said Antonelli.

The fire was first reported June 9, when the Tellus was three days' sailing distance from the United States. Automatic carbon dioxide fire extinguishers automatically extinguished the flames. The fire did not impact the seaworthy condition of the ship. The vessel was rerouted from its original destination of Radicatel, France to Bremerhaven.

An owner notification and compensation process is underway, said Antonelli. Each vehicle is now being inspected by Dekra, an approved agent of the German government, to determine damage.

"For unaffected vehicles," said Antonelli, "Dekra will issue America Auto Logistics a certificate for each vehicle stating that it is safe for the road."

The following compensation will be available for owners of lost or damaged vehicles, said Antonelli:

· Claims will be settled using the Kelly Blue Book retail values.

For members who possess clear titles to a totaled or destroyed vehicle, American Auto Logistics will issue settlement check upon receipt of signed transfer of original title and settlement release.

For members who have liens on their vehicles, American Auto Logistics will issue settlement check(s) upon receipt of member signed release and lien holder guarantee confirming release. In the case where liens on cars exceed the Kelly Blue Book value, American Auto Logistics will seek settlement with both the member and lien holder.

· Contractual $20,000 limit of liability will be waived for this specific incident.

· American Auto Logistics will provide a rental car for up to 30 days from date of settlement, or required delivery date, whichever is sooner.

· Members not requiring a rental car will be offered $1,000 in lieu of a rental car at settlement date.

· Classic/antique vehicles' will be settled at appropriate market value.

· The ocean carrier, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carriers, Inc., along with American Auto Logistics, will provide free transportation of a second vehicle, replacing the vehicle that was destroyed or determined to be a constructive total loss, from the original origin to destination vehicle processing center. Contact your origin vehicle processing center or Irene Markoglu, at Logistics Coordinators Limited, (201) 505-4002, e-mail imrkoglu@wlhinet.com. This option will expire Oct. 1.

· American Auto Logistics has arranged for reduced pricing with Overseas Military Sales for members to purchase replacement vehicles for those units that have been destroyed or determined to be a constructive loss.
Safety-Health Related Damages

Prior to the delivery to the member, American Auto Logistics will repair, replace or clean any damaged or soiled parts or components that are determined to affect the safe operation of the vehicle or health of the member.

· Rental cars will be provided for members who do not have repairs completed by the required delivery date.

· Upon completion of repairs for cars that have exceeded the required delivery date, the member, after being contacted, will have up to three days to return the rental car and pick up their vehicle at the destination vehicle processing center.

Non-Safety Related Damages

For all other damages and to expedite the claims settlement process, it is recommended that the members file directly with American Auto Logistics' agent, Logistics Coordinators Limited, Montvale, N.J., or use the site/expedited claims option available at the destination vehicle processing center.

Additional information is available from: Rich Holland Moritz, 011 49 6107 9440; facsimile, 011 49 6107 8691; toll-free within Germany, 00800 87267227; e-mail, Rmoritz@wlhinet.com.

Overseas Customers: Evelyn Dullaghan, Transcar, 011 49 6107 944116; facsimile, 011 49 6107 8691; toll-free within Germany, 00800 87267227; e-mail, Edullaghan@transcargroup.com.

Continental United States Customers: Greg Wellstead, (201) 505-4375; facsimile, (201) 505-0634; e-mail, Gwellstead@wlhinet.com.

(FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

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DoD service member vehicles in ship fire

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