SPIRIT OF BOSTON
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NTSB report into fire published
An improperly extinguished chafing fuel canister sparked a fire aboard the 'Spirit of Boston', while it was moored at Commonwealth Pier in Boston on March 24, 2023, according to findings released on Jan 2, 2025, by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incident occurred after the passengers had disembarked and when hospitality staff accidentally dropped an improperly extinguished heating canister under a plastic glassware cart on the vessel’s first deck. While no injuries were reported, the fire caused damage totaling $3.1 million. “The absence of marine crew proved critical in this incident,” said the NTSB in its report. The fire could have likely been contained early had trained marine personnel been present. At the time of the fire, all marine crewmembers had already left the vessel, leaving only hospitality staff onboard who were unable to execute proper emergency response procedures. The investigation revealed systemic safety gaps at City Cruises US, the vessel’s operator. The company had relied solely on verbal instructions for handling heating canisters rather than documented procedures, leading to inconsistent safety practices among staff. The NTSB issued several key safety recommendations, including requiring operators to maintain at least one marine crewmember onboard until all personnel have departed and implementing proper documented procedures for handling open-flame devices. The NTSB also pushed for the implementation of a comprehensive Safety Management System (SMS) across City Cruises US’s fleet. This recommendation extends to all U.S.-flag passenger vessels, reiterating a longstanding safety measure that has seen little progress since 2021 despite Congressional authorization in 2010.
Coast Guard launched investigation into fire
On MArch 28 the US Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the fire that damaged the 'Spirit Of Boston' in its hompe port on March 24. The investigation will allow for a full understanding of the incident that led up to the fire and provides a way forward to prevent future incidents. The investigation was authorized by the commander of the Coast Guard First District. The Coast Guard asked anyone with information about the fire to contact them. Upon completion of the investigation, the Coast Guard will issue a report of investigation with collected evidence, established facts and conclusions and recommendations regarding the marine casualty.
Fire in Boston
The 'Spirit of Boston' caught fire in the port of Boston, Mass., and was filled from the lower levels with heavy, black smoke in the night of March 24, 2023. A second alarm was eventually struck for the fire on the vessel at the Boston Fire Department. Firefighters were working to extinguish the fire from the dock in the Seaport, from within the boat itself and from the water. At around 11:45 p.m. the fire had been extinguished. There were no injuries, as nobody was aboard the 'Spirit of Boston' at the time the fire broke out. Report with photos: https://www.masslive.com/boston/2023/03/spirit-of-boston-cruise-ship-catches-fire-fills-with-heavy-smoke.html
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