Ship Fire

One Dead, 11 Injured in Cruise Ship Fire

On March 23, as Star Princess was en route from Grand Cayman to Montego Bay, a fire broke out in the passenger accommodations, and spread to adjacent cabins. Passengers were immediately notified of the fire using the public address system and requested to report to their muster stations. According to Princess Cruises, there was one passenger fatality following a cardiac arrest, two passengers with significant smoke inhalation injuries and nine passengers with minor complications resulting from smoke inhalation. The injured passengers have been stabilized in the ship's medical center. While the fire has been put out, there is still residual smoke throughout the affected area. The cause of the fire at this time is unknown. The ship wa carrying a total of 2,690 passengers and 1,123 crew members. A full damage assessment is being carried out now that the ship has arrived in Montego Bay.

KMSS Signs Royal Caribbean Deal

Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems (KMSS) has secured the contract to supply Fire Detection Systems to four Radiance Class ships run by Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited (RCCL), out of the Meyer Weft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The contract is worth $3.2 million in total. The four ship deal will see KMSS installing it’s Autrosafe Fire Detection System with Self Verifying Detectors on the currently sailing ‘M/S Radiance of the Seas’ and the ‘M/S Brilliance of the Seas’, which is due

NTSB to Assist in Cruise Ship Fire Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board has sent an investigator to Jamaica to assist in the investigation of today's fire on board the Bermuda registered cruise ship Star Princess. The United Kingdom's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) will lead the investigation. "This is an important industry for the United States because every year millions of Americans enjoy their vacations on board cruise ships. We appreciate the opportunity to work closely with the MAIB in this

Incat Crowther Launches 118-ft Monohull Crewboa

Incat Crowther announced the launch of the 118-ft Monohull Crewboat Siem Piata. The vessel was recently launched by ETP Engenharia Ltda in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, successfully completed sea trials and was delivered to Siem Consub for service to Petrobras.  Developed primarily at Incat Crowther’s USA office in Morgan City Louisiana, Siem Piata will perform the role of a P2 crew boat in the Siem Consub fleet

Northrop Grumman Radar Systems Follow-On Order

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) received a follow-on order from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command for additional AN/SPQ-9B shipboard radar systems. Under the fixed-price $41.4m contract option, Northrop Grumman's Maritime Systems facility in Melville, N.Y., will supply six radar shipsets, including the third radar of a three-system procurement for the Royal Australian Navy's Air Warfare Destroyer, and three antenna groups.

Incat Crowther Monohull Crewboat

Incat Crowther announced construction of a 118 ft Monohull Crewboat for the Brazilian oil giant, Petrobras. This vessel is one of the first projects to take advantage of Incat Crowther’s new USA office. The vessel, under construction by ETP Engenharia Ltda in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil complies with the Petrobras specifications for the P2 type crew boat. The main cabin contains seating for 60 passengers in large reclining seats, some at tables

$3M Saved Using Water Bags for Weight Testing

The Navy has recently begun using water bags accomplishing periodic weight tests of boat davits. A result of a teaming effort between NAVSEA, NAVSEA Philadelphia-SSES and FTSCLANT, this innovation will save the Navy over $3 million per year compared to traditional methods. In the past, tests using concrete block or steel weights required a pier side or barge crane plus four-six individuals, cost as much as $20 thousand and required up to eight hours.

Seafarer Heroism Honored at AOTOS Event

Five separate episodes of heroism and bravery on the high seas were recognized at the 42nd annual United Seamen's Service Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) dinner.   The AOTOS event itself honored James L. Henry, Chairman and President of the Transportation Institute; General Duncan J. McNabb, USAF, former Commander, U.S. Transportation Command; and Robert D. Somerville, Chairman of ABS (formerly the American Bureau of Shipping)

Evaluating & Implementing Effective Anti-Piracy Technology & Technique

There is a new focus on technological solutions for ship self-defense against pirate attacks.  Although some systems have been around a bit longer, the surge in new products is attributable largely to the dramatic increase in attacks on ships by Somali pirates over the last few years, the expanding areas of their attacks, and the worldwide attention these attacks have garnered.  Suppliers have rushed to adapt existing products and develop new ones for the counter-piracy mission

NTSB Reports on Ferry Fire

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of a fire aboard a New York City commuter ferry was the operator's inadequate inspection and maintenance of the vessel's electrical system. Contributing to the extent of the damage were the absence of fixed fire detection and suppression systems and the crew's lack of knowledge of proper marine firefighting techniques. The fire occurred on the evening of November 17, 2000, as the commuter ferry Port Imperial Manhattan