The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an accident report, regarding a fire on board Carnival Liberty cruise ship, on September 2015, in the US Port of Charlotte Amalie, that resulted in damages of USD 1.725 million to the vessel. The report provides findings of the investigation and safety recommendations, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident
On September 7, 2015, about 1133 local time, a fire broke out in the engine room aboard cruise ship Carnival Liberty. At the time, the vessel was alongside the dock in the Port of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. The master ordered the passengers aboard the vessel to evacuate to the dock. The crew used the ship’s water mist- and carbon dioxide (CO2) firefighting systems to extinguish the fire. No one was injured, nor was any environmental damage reported. Fire damage to the ship was estimated at $1.725 million.
Findings Probable Cause NTSB determines that the probable cause of the engine room fire aboard the Carnival Liberty was loosened bolts, likely resulting from improper tightening during prior maintenance and vibration of the piping over time, on a fuel supply inlet flange on diesel generator 4, which triggered an uncontrolled fuel spray from the inlet flange onto a hot surface on the diesel generator. Recommendations To Carnival Corporation: To the Cruise Lines International Association: Further information may be found by reading the full report:
