Valdez Fire Dept., USCG Respond to Vessel Fire in Valdez

City of Valdez and U.S. Coast Guard personnel responded to a report of a vessel fire at the Crowley fuel dock within the Valdez Small Boat Harbor.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. Monday morning, the 28-foot recreational vessel Falcon, with two adults and three children onboard, caught fire at the Crowley fuel dock in the Valdez Small Boat Harbor. All five persons aboard were transferred to shore and Crowley dock employees quickly secured fuel to the pier’s pumps.

The Valdez Fire Department, Valdez Harbormaster’s Office, and Coast Guard immediately responded to the scene and found the Falcon engulfed in flames and a small fire on the Crowley fuel dock. All five personnel aboard the vessel sustained injuries from the incident and were transported by the Valdez Fire Department to Providence Medical Center for further treatment.

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port immediately closed the Small Boat Harbor to all traffic, a Coast Guard Station Valdez small boat launched to assist with traffic management and scene safety, and Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit personnel deployed to the scene to investigate the cause. The Valdez Fire Department has jurisdiction for marine firefighting within the small boat harbor and successfully extinguished the vessel fire within 45 minutes.

At approximately 1:05 p.m., the Valdez Fire Department deemed the area safe and the Coast Guard Captain of the Port reopened the Valdez Small Boat Harbor to traffic. The Valdez Harbormaster’s Office, Valdez Fire Department, and Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez will continue to work together to determine the safest course of action for removing the Falcon from the harbor.

Boom is in place around the vessel as a precaution and no sheen has been reported in the water. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

uscgnews.com