Coast Guard Responds to Ferry Fire

Coast Guard Sector Boston coordinated the rescue of 65 passengers and five crewmembers from a ferry boat that had an engine room fire in Quincy Bay. The ferry boat Massachusetts departed Rowes Wharf in Boston Harbor and was south of Long Island Bridge on the way to Hingham Harbor when a fire broke out in the vessel's engine room . The ferry boat Laura was in the area and came to the aid of Massachusetts after its crew noticed smoke billowing out from the 100-foot commuter boat. The Massachusetts anchored in 21-to-26 feet of water while the Laura pulled along side and evacuated all passengers and crew. There are no reports of any injuries. Coast Guard CDR Thomas Miller, who works at Sector Boston, happened to be commuting home on the ferry and called the Sector Boston Operations Center to report the incident. Coast Guard Station Point Allerton launched a 41-foot utility boat to establish a safety zone around the stricken ferry. Boston Fire Department launched the vessel and extinguished the fire. The Massachusetts is operated by Mass Bay Lines, who is working closely with the Coast Guard and the Boston Fire Department to formulate a salvage plan.