cruise ship fire alaska

• Alaska Insight
• Watch KAKM Live
• Indie Alaska
• Ways to Watch
• There is Hope
• AK Passport
• In My Family
• KSKA Schedule
• Hometown, Alaska
• Listen to KSKA Live
• All Radio Programs
• Outdoor Explorer
• Addressing Alaskans
• State of Art
• Alaska Economic Report
• Hear me now
• Military Voices
• One Small Step
• Alaska Morning News
• Talk of Alaska
• Alaska News Nightly
• Traveling Music
• Black History in the Last Frontier
• Latest News
• Environment
• Mental Health
• Rural Health
• Alaska Legislature
• Washington, D.C.
• Public Safety
• ANCSA, 50th Anniversary
• Midnight Oil
• Daily Digest
• AKPM Community Education Engagement
• Race Matters
• Ready to Learn
• Library Explorers
• Molly of Denali
• Learning Media
• Parent Resources
• Watch PBS KIDS
• Workforce Development
• Ways to Give
• Benefits of Membership
• Together We Are Stronger
• AKPM Merchandise
• E-Newsletters
• Organization
• Public Documents
• Public Meetings
• Accessibility Commitment
• Donor Portal

Passengers evacuated after fire breaks out on cruise ship in Glacier Bay

Nearly 70 passengers and crew were evacuated from a small cruise ship on Monday morning after an engine room fire disabled UnCruise’s Wilderness Discoverer in Glacier Bay.

The fire was reported to the U.S. Coast Guard around 7:30 a.m.

“By the time we got there, they had put the fire out,” Coast Guard Petty Officer Ian Gray said. “All of the passengers were taken off and were in good health.”

The Sapphire Princess, a larger Princess Cruises ship that was sailing nearby, responded to radio calls from the Wilderness Discoverer and used one of its lifeboats to bring over the 51 passengers and 16 crew members. A handful of crew members stayed behind on the ship, which is being towed to a shipyard in Ketchikan.

Local and federal authorities will examine the damage in the coming days. 

“Once it’s moored up at the pier, we’ll start the investigation process,” Gray said. “We’ll get Coast Guard personnel aboard and probably more than likely the Alaska State Troopers.” 

A different UnCruise ship picked up the Wilderness Discoverer’s passengers and brought them back to the company’s headquarters in Juneau on Monday afternoon. UnCruise representatives said all of the passengers would get full refunds.

Correction: 51 passengers and 16 crew members were taken off the Wilderness Discoverer.

Anna Canny, KTOO - Juneau

Related articles more from author, work on eielson microreactor project may resume this summer, gci customers can keep email accounts set to be shut down – for a fee, safety concerns prompt sudden closure of kuskokwim ice road.

• All content
• Rural Alaska
• Crime & Courts
• Alaska Legislature
• ADN Politics Podcast
• National Opinions
• Letters to the Editor
• Nation/World
• Film and TV
• Outdoors/Adventure
• High School Sports
• UAA Athletics
• Food and Drink
• Visual Stories
• Alaska Journal of Commerce (Opens in new window)
• The Arctic Sounder
• The Bristol Bay Times
• Legal Notices (Opens in new window)
• Peak 2 Peak Events (Opens in new window)
• Educator of the Year (Opens in new window)
• Celebrating Nurses (Opens in new window)
• Top 40 Under 40 (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Spelling Bee (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Craft Brew Festival
• Best of Alaska
• Spring Career Fair (Opens in new window)
• Achievement in Business
• Youth Summit Awards
• Craft Brew Fest Giveaway
• Teacher of the Month
• 2024 Alaska Summer Camps Guide (Opens in new window)
• 2024 Graduation (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Visitors Guide 2023 (Opens in new window)
• 2023 Best of Alaska (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Health Care (Opens in new window)
• Merry Merchant Munch (Opens in new window)
• On the Move AK (Opens in new window)
• Senior Living in Alaska (Opens in new window)
• Youth Summit Awards (Opens in new window)
• Alaska Visitors Guide
• ADN Store (Opens in new window)
• Classifieds (Opens in new window)
• Jobs (Opens in new window)
• Place an Ad (Opens in new window)
• Customer Service
• Sponsored Content
• Real Estate/Open Houses (Opens in new window)

Passengers and crew evacuated from small cruise ship in Alaska’s Glacier Bay after fire breaks out

The cruise ship Sapphire Princess and the vessel Wilderness Discoverer in Glacier Bay National Park on Monday after a fire was reported on the smaller vessel. (U.S Coast Guard photo via Facebook)

Nearly 70 people were evacuated from a small cruise ship in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park after a fire Monday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

There were no reports of injuries.

Crew members on the 178-foot vessel Wilderness Discoverer reported a fire at 7:30 a.m., the Coast Guard said in a statement. The boat is owned by UnCruise Adventures, a small-ship cruise company based in Juneau with itineraries in Southeast Alaska.

The 51 passengers and 16 crew members aboard the Wilderness Discoverer were “safely disembarked aboard the cruise ship Sapphire Princess,” a much larger cruise ship that was in the area, the Coast Guard said. Tender boats were used to ferry passengers from the smaller ship to the Sapphire Princess, a far larger ship that can carry 3,670 passengers and crew.

The two boats were in the west arm of Glacier Bay, transiting the main channel, UnCruise owner Dan Blanchard said by phone Monday. The busy area sees frequent boat traffic.

The fire was likely caused by a generator and was extinguished by an onboard fire suppression system, Blanchard said. Evacuated passengers will get off the larger cruise ship and go back to Juneau on Monday night, he said. A skeleton crew of Wilderness Discoverer staff remained onboard to be with the boat

The damaged vessel will be towed to Ketchikan, the Coast Guard said.

Blanchard said his crew handled the fire smoothly.

“I’m super happy about the response of the crew; you respond the way you are trained,” he said. “They just did the right things.”

A separate and unrelated helicopter medevac of a passenger on the Sapphire Princess cruise ship was underway by the Coast Guard Monday afternoon, according to Petty Officer Third Class Ian Gray.

Michelle Theriault Boots

Michelle Theriault Boots is a longtime reporter for the Anchorage Daily News. She focuses on in-depth stories about the intersection of public policy and Alaskans' lives. Before joining the ADN in 2012, she worked at daily newspapers up and down the West Coast and earned a master's degree from the University of Oregon.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Dozens evacuated from small cruise ship in Alaska after engine room fire

• Copy Link copied

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A fire in the engine room of a small cruise ship in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve prompted the evacuation of dozens of passengers and crew on Monday. No injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The fire on board the Wilderness Discoverer was reported to the Coast Guard around 7:30 a.m. UnCruise Adventures, which operates the ship, said 78 passengers and crew members were on board at the time.

All 51 passengers and most crew members were removed from the ship and placed on another cruise ship in the area, the Coast Guard said. Eleven crew members remained with the Wilderness Discoverer, which was expected to be towed to Ketchikan.

UnCruise Adventures said the cause of the fire was under investigation. The company said it would provide full refunds to affected passengers.

Passengers, crew evacuated from cruise ship after fire

Passengers and crew members were evacuated from a cruise ship sailing in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park because of a fire on board earlier this week.

After a “fire incident” contained to the engine room of UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Discoverer ship on Monday, other vessels in the area helped disembark 51 guests and 16 crew members, the cruise line said in a news release.

“We are relieved to confirm that there have been no injuries resulting from the fire,” Capt. Dan Blanchard, UnCruise’s owner and CEO, said in the release. “Our highly trained crew promptly extinguished the fire using established emergency protocols, and CO2 was successfully deployed for everyone's safety.” Eleven crew members remained on board.

Cruise ship medical facilities: What happens if you get sick or injured (or bitten by a monkey)

The line is providing guests with full refunds. They were transferred to Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess ship, and later moved to another ship before being disembarked at park headquarters and given hotels and flights home.

There were “no discernible environmental impacts” in the area as a result of the incident, according to UnCruise, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

Wilderness Discoverer was built in 1992 and can accommodate 76 guests.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

• Fire Engineering Training

Sixty-Seven Evacuated After Fire Erupts on Alaskan Cruise Ship

All 51 passengers and most of the crew were sent off the ship after fire in the engine room of the Wilderness Discoverer.

According to a report from NBCNews , a fire that broke out in the engine room of the Wilderness Discoverer, a small cruise ship in  Alaska ’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, caused the evacuation of 51 passengers and 16 crew members Monday morning.

In a statement, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said there were no injuries reported, and the fire was extinguished.

The fire was reported to the USCG at around 7:30 a.m. UnCruise Adventures, which operates the ship, said a total of 78 people, including passengers and crew members, were aboard at the time.

All 51 passengers and most of the crew were sent off the ship and placed on another cruise ship in the area, the USCG said. Eleven crew members stayed on the Wilderness Discoverer, which was expected to be towed to Ketchikan.

UnCruise Adventures said the cause of the fire was under investigation, and said full refunds will be offered to affected passengers.

Shipboard Firefighting: Realities and Risks

SHIPBOARD FIREFIGHTING: THE BASICS

Shipboard Solutions for the Land-Based Firefighter

Related Posts

Latest Fire Engineering News

Please check your spam folder and any email filters, in the event that the email gets blocked.

Stay informed about daily FireEngineering news, podcasts, training videos, webcasts, commentary, and exclusive articles about FireEngineering by signing up.

UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Discoverer Catches Fire in Alaska

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: June 5, 2023  - Last updated: June 10, 2023

Small-ship cruise line UnCruise Adventures confirms no injuries after an engine room fire aboard Wilderness Discoverer in Alaska.

On June 5, 2023, UnCruise Adventures , a small-ship expedition cruise line , confirmed a fire incident aboard the company’s Wilderness Discoverer .

The fire broke out at 7:23 AM ADT (Alaska Daylight Time) on June 5th while the ship was in Glacier Bay National Park . Seventy-eight passengers and crew were onboard, and the company confirms there were no injuries.

The fire was contained to the ship’s engine room.

“We are relieved to confirm that there have been no injuries resulting from the fire. Our highly-trained crew promptly extinguished the fire using established emergency protocols, and CO2 was successfully deployed for everyone’s safety,” shared UnCruise owner and CEO, Captain Dan Blanchard , in a press release.

The company reports that it has conducted a thorough assessment, and there are “currently no discernible environmental impacts within the affected area”.

According to UnCruise, local and federal authorities were promptly notified, and the company is working closely with them to ensure a coordinated response in the area.

Additional vessels from the region promptly assisted with the disembarkation of 51 passengers and 16 crewmembers from the Wilderness Discoverer , with eleven crew remaining onboard.

Related: What is an UnCruise?

UnCruise Adventures has stated it will provide full reimbursements to all passengers who were affected by the incident, as well as lodging and flights home.

The cause of the engine room fire has yet to be determined, and an investigation is now underway. The cruise line states it will work extensively with authorities to undertake a full assessment.

In the press release, UnCruise Adventures extended gratitude for the swift response of emergency personnel and acknowledged the professionalism and composure demonstrated by crewmembers throughout this challenging situation.

This is an ongoing story, and I’ll provide updates as new information becomes available.

UPDATE: June 5, 2023 5:30 PM PDT

UnCruise stated in an updated release that smooth operations continue, with local and federal authorities transporting guests and personnel to Glacier Bay National Park headquarters. All affected guests will receive a full refund, and flights will be provided for guests to return home.

UPDATE: June 7, 2023 1:15 PM PDT

UnCruise stated in an updated release that on June 5th Wilderness Discoverer guests were transferred to Princess Cruises ‘ Sapphire Princess for a period after the fire was discovered. Guests were then transferred to the Baranof Wind vessel and disembarked at the park headquarters where they were provided flights home and hotels in the interim.

The cruise line also stated that Wilderness Discoverer is repairable and is expected to still sail this season, pending more details on the extent of the areas affected by the fire.

UPDATE: June 9, 2023

On June 9, UnCruise announced significant progress in addressing the engine room fire aboard Wilderness Discoverer .

The company’s internal safety team, along with regulators and underwriters, have inspected the vessel. The heat that started the fire was generated by the port main engine’s wet exhaust mufflers . The heat-damaged region is the size of a small chest freezer and is located on the port side of the engine room between two deep frames.

Outside of this small area, the main source of damage is from smoke and soot. In an updated press release, the company stated that a dedicated team is working hard to speed up the repair procedure and return the ship to her original state. Repairs are being completed with the utmost care and precision, in accordance with the company’s emphasis on safety.

Vigor Shipyard in Ketchikan, Alaska will facilitate the vessel’s repair process.  

In response to the incident, UnCruise Adventures implemented a comprehensive plan to ensure the smooth continuation of guests’ adventure experiences. Additionally, the company will re-accommodate all guests who were booked on Wilderness Discoverer in the coming weeks. Affected guests will be rebooked on a similar vessel.

“We deeply appreciate the understanding and patience demonstrated by our guests during this period. Our team is working tirelessly to minimize any inconvenience caused by the incident and to provide alternative arrangements that maintain the exceptional level of adventure and exploration that UnCruise Adventures is known for,” shared Captain Dan Blanchard. 

About Wilderness Discoverer

UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Discoverer , built in 1992, is a 76-passenger expedition cruise ship that runs itineraries from southeast Alaska: Alaska Fjords and Glaciers and  Glacier Bay National Park Adventure .

The three-deck ship, with a GRT (gross register tonnage) of just 99, cruises in Alaska at 9 knots (or 10.3 mph). All staterooms on the expedition vessel are oceanview, and the ship boasts an impressive 2.2:1 guest-to-crew ratio.

Read more about UnCruise Adventures

Latest news from the world of cruising

• Azamara Room Service – Everything You Need to Know
• Carnival Corporation Unveils New Solar Park at Amber Cove
• Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas Cruise Compass – 7 Days Bahamas + Perfect Day 2024
• Villa Vie Residences Takes Delivery of Odyssey, Announces Captain
• Oceania Cruises Announces 2026 World Cruise Aboard Oceania Vista
• Disney Cruise Line Releases Signature Song for Disney Treasure by Jordin Sparks

Have you ever been on an expedition sailing with UnCruise Adventures or another small-ship line? What do you think about the fire situation and how UnCruise responded? I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below!

• Recent Posts

• Azamara Room Service – Everything You Need to Know - March 19, 2024
• Carnival Corporation Unveils New Solar Park at Amber Cove - March 8, 2024
• Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas Cruise Compass – 7 Days Bahamas + Perfect Day 2024 - March 7, 2024

Related posts:

Allen Franklin

Saturday 10th of June 2023

Hi Carrie Ann. I've been following you for a few years and wanted your unbiased perspective. My wife and I just reached retirement age (I've just retired and she will hopefully next year) One of our retirement travel dreams is cruising in Alaska. We're both fairly healthy and hike most weekends, usually on easy trails around our area. When I read your Uncruise Adventures reviews a few years ago I thought it was perfect for us. But now I'm seeing the ships are old and can catch fire so now I'm not so sure. I'd love to hear your opinion.

Tuesday 13th of June 2023

Hi Allen, thanks so much for being a loyal SBC follower! I know that a lot of fans of adventure and expedition cruising were shocked by headlines about Wilderness Discoverer catching fire (I sure was when the news was first released!). A significant shipboard fire is a scary—and pretty rare—situation for both crew and passengers. Thankfully this fire was somewhat small and well-contained, and from what I've learned both the crew members and the company as a whole did an excellent job extinguishing the blaze, notifying guests, and making arrangements for everyone to have a safe place to stay before being transported home.

However, I think that your comment speaks to what a lot of cruisers are thinking: are older ships safe? Can I trust a small-ship cruise line? Yeah, I totally get it. I'm going to give a long-ish response to your somewhat short question—because for each comment I get, I know I'll have hundreds of readers wondering the same thing.

Before I sailed on Wilderness Adventurer ( Discoverer 's much older sister), I learned she was originally built in 1976. The idea of taking a cruise on a ship that's almost as old as I am (!!) absolutely made me worry. But when I embarked and saw how well the ship was taken care of and how safety-focused each member of the crew was, my fear quickly subsided.

As a full-time cruise blogger, I spend quite a bit of time each day monitoring press releases from cruise lines large and small. Most cruise lines only release positive news and ignore anything that could be considered "bad press". UnCruise wowed me by not only putting out a timely press release about the fire incident, but by continuing to release updates as the situation unfolded.

A fire on any ship can be catastrophic. The small fire incident aboard Wilderness Discovery thankfully wasn't—no doubt because of the excellent training of the ship's crew and officers.

But are older cruise ships safe, you ask? Here's what I have to say about that: the age of a ship's hull and infrastructure is just a number. Just like with a classic car, the important bits are maintained and swapped out when necessary.

Allen, I hope you and your wife enjoy lots of cruises as you travel the world in your retirement. Alaska is one of my favorite places to cruise, and you're both going to love taking in the pristine beauty of this wilderness area. I think that small-ship cruising is the way to go in SE Alaska, especially if you love experiencing the outdoors up close. Happy cruising!

CLICK HERE for All 2023-2025 Cruise Dates & Pricing, Now Offering Last Minute Savings on Summer Sailings in Alaska. 888-862-8881 or [email protected]

Safety and Response Prioritized, No Injuries from Engine Room Fire on Wilderness Discoverer Vessel in Glacier Bay National Park

Small ship cruise line, uncruise adventures confirms no injuries from passengers and crew from an early morning engine room fire.

JUNEAU, AK, June 5th, 2023  – UnCruise Adventures, a leading provider of small ship adventure cruise experiences, today confirmed a fire incident, contained to the engine room on the  Wilderness Discoverer  vessel while in Glacier Bay National Park. The incident occurred at 7:23 a.m. Alaska time, June 5 th , while seventy-eight passengers and crew were onboard.

“We are relieved to confirm that there have been no injuries resulting from the fire. Our highly trained crew promptly extinguished the fire using established emergency protocols, and CO2 was successfully deployed for everyone's safety,” shares company Owner & CEO, Captain Dan Blanchard.

In adherence to our commitment to environmental responsibility, we have conducted thorough assessments, and we are pleased to report that there are currently no discernible environmental impacts within the affected area. Local and federal authorities have been promptly notified, and we are working closely with them to ensure a coordinated response in the area.

To facilitate the seamless transfer of passengers, additional vessels from the area immediately assisted with disembarking fifty-one passengers and sixteen crew from the Wilderness Discoverer, with eleven crew remaining onboard. Our priority is to ensure the safety of all affected guests during this transition. Every effort is being made to minimize any inconvenience caused by the incident. The cruise line will be providing full refunds to all passengers affected by the incident and providing hotels and flights home for those affected. Our commitment to our guests' satisfaction remains unwavering, and our crew is working with guests and authorities to ensure expedited care.

The cause of the engine room fire is yet to be determined and an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause. We will actively cooperate with the authorities and conduct a thorough assessment.

UnCruise Adventures extends its gratitude to the swift response of emergency personnel and acknowledges the professionalism and composure demonstrated by our crew throughout this challenging situation. We are continuing to monitor this and will provide timely updates as new information becomes available to keep all stakeholders informed as the situation progresses.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact the UnCruise Adventures offices at  [email protected]  for the designated representative.

# # # 

Media contact: 

UnCruise Adventures  [email protected]             

About UnCruise Adventures   

UnCruise Adventures’ is a responsible travel and adventure leader in the small boat industry. They operate boutique yachts and small boats carrying 22-86 guests on voyages in Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Prince William Sound, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Coastal Washington, Galápagos, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, and Colombia. UnCruise Adventures has been picked as the top adventure cruise line by Cruise Critic, multiple times and Travel & Leisure readers also named UnCruise Adventures in its World’s Best Awards and its list of top 10 small ship ocean cruise line for multiple years in a row. UnCruise Adventures is a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Transformational Travel Council.

Health & Wellbeing Policy

UnCruise Adventures has updated its health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of its guests and crew onboard all vessels. As part of updated measures, the company has removed the vaccination and mask requirement for cruises. The company will continue to implement additional safety and sanitary measures to maintain a safe environment. Safe distancing is encouraged where possible and guests are asked to adhere to the onboard good citizen policy of health and wellbeing. For more information about UnCruise Adventures' updated vaccine policy and travel resources, please visit their website at uncruise.com.

• Cruise News

Cruise Ship in Alaska Catches Fire

Andrea Santillan

• June 14, 2023

The exhaust system is to blame during a cruise ship in fire Alaska last week. Small ship company UnCruise Adventures Alaska-based ship ordered an abandon ship when the vessel’s engine room caught fire around 7:00 a.m. local time.

Since then, the vessel has gone through inspections by regulators, underwriters, and the company’s internal safety team.  

“The fire was limited due to the speedy action of the captain and crew. The port main engine wet exhaust mufflers were the source of the heat/fire. The area damaged by heat is the size of a small chest freezer and contained between two deep frames on the port side of the engine room, said UnCruise Adventures in a statement.

Outside of this relatively small area, the damage is primarily from smoke and soot and is currently being repaired at a shipyard in Ketchikan, Alaska.

It went on to stay, “the company’s dedicated team is working diligently to expedite the repair process, aiming to restore the vessel to its optimal condition. The repairs are being carried out with the utmost care and precision, adhering to the company’s focus on safety.”

Also sailing the region was Princess Cruises’ ship Sapphire Princess . Sapphire Princess received a request for help from the US Coast Guard to assist with picking up guests.

After receiving the distress call from the Coast Guard at around 9 am, the Sapphire Princess quickly dispatched a water shuttle to retrieve 51 passengers and 16 crew members. Eleven crew members remained aboard the Wilderness Discoverer.

What is a Wet Muffler Exhaust System?

If a boat has an inboard engine, it can get pretty loud and hot. So the boat will use a special kind of engine called a “water-cooled inboard.”

This engine cools itself down by injecting water into the exhaust pipe. This not only cools the exhaust but also makes the engine much quieter. The exhaust then pushes the water out so you don’t even see it.

This type of engine is called a “wet exhaust system.”

Wilderness Discoverer was launched in 1992 and carries 76 guests.

Go Deeper : Are Cruise Ships Safe?

Recent Posts

Cruise giant orders its fifth billion-dollar ship, celebrity ship makes comeback following $50 million overhaul, carnival extends contract with florida cruise port, royal caribbean cancels sailings over technical glitch, share this post, related posts.

Safety Experts Condemn 2019 Cruise Following Blackout Issue

Three cruise passengers jump ship during a port stop in British Virgin Islands

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.   

Quick links

Cruise Radio, LLC © Copyright 2009-2024 | Website Designed By   Insider Perks, Inc

• New Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Caption Policy
• Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

Cruise ship fire near Alaska prompts dozens to evacuate

The fire in the engine room was extinguished, no injuries were reported near ak.

Fox News Flash top headlines for June 6

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

A fire in the engine room of a small cruise ship in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve prompted the evacuation of dozens of passengers and crew on Monday. No injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The fire on board the Wilderness Discoverer was reported to the Coast Guard around 7:30 a.m. UnCruise Adventures , which operates the ship, said 78 passengers and crew members were on board at the time.

MAN FALLS FROM CRUISE SHIP OFF FLORIDA COAST: 'LIFE OF THE PARTY'

A cruise ship is seen near Alaska on Jan. 1, 2012. A fire in a small cruise ship in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve has prompted the evacuation of dozens of passengers and crew members on Monday. (Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

All 51 passengers and most crew members were removed from the ship and placed on another cruise ship in the area, the Coast Guard said. Eleven crew members remained with the Wilderness Discoverer, which was expected to be towed to Ketchikan.

UnCruise Adventures said the cause of the fire was under investigation. The company said it would provide full refunds to affected passengers.

The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

• Monterey County
• San Benito County
• Santa Cruz County
• Special Reports
• California News
• Entertainment
• Interactive Radar
• Local Forecast
• Waze Traffic
• Las Olimpiadas
• Entretenimiento
• Programacion
• T23 15 Aniversario
• Local Politics
• California Politics
• Livestream Special Coverage
• Livestream Newscasts
• Must-See Video
• Must-See Photo Galleries
• Project Santa
• House & Home
• Business Matters
• Safe at Home
• Weekend Picks
• 831LocalLinks
• Central Coast Experts
• Health Connections
• Classroom Makeover – Help a Monterey County School Teacher Get Needed Supplies
• Student of the Month
• General Contest Rules
• Central Coast Cheer
• KION for Kids
• Submit Tips, Pics and Video
• Work for KION
• Regional Careers
• Fox Schedule
• Advertise with NPG of Monterey/Salinas
• Closed Captioning
• Download Our Apps
• EEO Public Filing
• FCC Public File
• Jobs & Internships
• TV Listings

Fire on small cruise ship in Alaska forces evacuation of 67 people, Coast Guard says

By Raja Razek, CNN

(CNN) — A fire on a small cruise ship in Alaska forced 67 people aboard to evacuate Monday, according to the US Coast Guard.

A total of 51 passengers and 16 crew members on the 178-foot expedition vessel Wilderness Discoverer were evacuated to another passenger ship after the blaze, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

UnCruise Adventures, which operates the ship, said there were no injuries from the fire, which was contained to the engine room.

“Our highly trained crew promptly extinguished the fire using established emergency protocols, and CO2 was successfully deployed for everyone’s safety,” said Dan Blanchard, the company’s owner and CEO.

The US Coast Guard in Juneau received a call at 7:30 am from crew aboard the vessel about the fire. The boat was traveling in Glacier Bay National Park , the news release said.

“The quick launch of our assets and the teamwork among the Sapphire Princess helped in the timeliness of this rescue,” Coast Guard Lt. Junior Grade Maximilian Carfagno said in the release.

The Coast Guard added that in addition to there being no injuries, there was no pollution in the water or impact to travel for other vessels.

The Sapphire Princess, a large Carnival cruise ship, helped the Coast Guard to evacuate passengers. Crew on that ship used a water shuttle to transfer people aboard.

A tug boat will tow the Wilderness Discover to Ketchikan with 11 crew members who remained on the damaged ship.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, according to UnCruise Adventures, which is refunding its passengers and providing hotels and flights to those impacted.

According to the company website, the ship was built in 1992 . It has 34 guest cabins.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Jump to comments ↓

CNN Newsource

Related articles.

55-year-old man arrested after allegedly stabbing a man with a broken broom handle, police say

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyer says raids of the rapper’s homes were ‘excessive’ use of ‘military force’

Castroville man sentenced to five years in prison for selling 14-year-old girl for $12,000, DA says

Sean ‘diddy’ combs’ lawyer says the searches of his properties were ‘excessive’ and that the music mogul is innocent.

KION 46 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here .

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Fire, death of crew members aboard two cruise ships that departed from Florida

The Carnival Freedom cruise ship caught fire over the weekend while passengers were aboard. As a result two cruises were canceled as the ship will require extensive repairs.

The ship, operated by Doral-based Carnival Cruise Line, set sail on Monday afternoon from Port Canaveral to its shipyard in Freeport where it is expected to be evaluated and fixed.

On Saturday afternoon, the Carnival Freedom caught fire on the port side of the exhaust funnel, a kind of chimney meant to release smoke and emissions. Black smoke and flames were visible in a video provided to NBC6, which first reported the incident .

The vessel was 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, and heading to Freeport following a canceled port stop at Princess Cay due to bad weather, the company said. It commenced its trip two days earlier on March 21, departing from Port Canaveral.

Passengers safe on Carnival Freedom

“No guests were hurt, and the ship remained fully operational,” said Matt Lupoli, a spokesman for Carnival Cruise Line. But he said two members of the carrier’s fire response team were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Carnival’s onboard team put out the fire on Saturday, and on Sunday, it completed what it said was a thorough assessment of the ship during a visit to Freeport. That is when the crew realized that “the damage is more than we first thought and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel,” said Lupoli. After the funnel was stabilized, the ship returned Monday morning to Port Canaveral and let guests off. It has a capacity for nearly 3,000 guests but the company did not specify how many were on the current trip.

Carnival subsequently canceled cruises on Carnival Freedom leaving Port Canaveral on March 25 and on March 29.

Carnival said it also continues to investigate multiple eyewitness reports of a lightning strike.

Carnival said that, “We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests,” and that it would provide all guests on canceled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit.

Meanwhile, that was not the only mishap in the Caribbean.

Two crew deaths

On Friday, the Nieuw Amsterdam operated by Holland America experienced what it says was an accidental steam release in an engineering space on board while at Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas. Two crew members died as a result. They have not yet been identified. There were no passenger injuries, the company said.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Dutch Safety Board are conducting an investigation, the carrier said.

Holland also said that all systems on board the ship “have since been reviewed and determined to be fully operable by independent surveyors of the Dutch government and confirmed by the US Coast Guard.”

“All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this event,” the company statement said.

There are not precise figures on number of crew deaths per year because the industry does not typically disclose them. A research paper from 2020 in the International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health noted that 10 crew members died in 2019, a high at the time for one year.

Nieuw Amsterdam returned to Port Everglades on March 23. Then it quickly left on its next tour that same evening, the company said. Its next scheduled port stop is at Ocho Rios, Jamaica on March 26.

The ship, which has a capacity of around 2100 guests, is based at Port Everglades in the winter and in the summer between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska.

The incidents come as the cruise industry is breaking records for number of passengers.

PortMiami, Florida’s largest port, served 7.3 million passengers during the 12-month fiscal year 2023. That was tops for cruise ports worldwide, nearly twice the four million passengers seen the prior year and more than its previous record of 6.8 million passengers set in 2019.

Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral are also booming. The latter was the world’s top cruise port one year before PortMiami took the honors.

It does not seem much is slowing it down.

Recommended Stories

Baltimore bridge collapse has automakers scrambling at nation's biggest port for cars.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has disrupted shipping at one of the largest ports in the country — and the busiest U.S. port for car shipments. Automakers are scrambling to deal with new supply chain issues.

Adam Silver, NBA dealing with serious consequences from fast-changing landscape

Give the commissioner credit for being pliable and instituting new things. But is the league losing its identity?

Trump’s new social media company looks like a meme stock

Strong short interest in Trump's public media company Truth Social suggests a gloomy view of its future.

Ex-Lions CB Cameron Sutton, still wanted by police, was at team facility when arrest warrant went public

The Lions learned Sutton was wanted by Florida police when he was working out for them.

Arnold Schwarzenegger just got a pacemaker. Here's what to know about the heart device that makes him 'a little bit more of a machine.'

Pacemakers, like the one Arnold Schwarzenegger recently had implanted, help regulate a patient's heartbeat.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Victor Scott II leads priority early pickups ahead of Opening Day

Fantasy baseball analyst Andy Behrens knows what it's like to leave a draft with some regret, so he offers up some early waiver wire pickups before Opening Day.

Cardinals CF Dylan Carlson to open season on IL after outfield collision with teammate Jordan Walker

Carlson ran into a lunging Walker at full speed near the warning track on Monday.

Stock market today: Stocks fade into the close as Nasdaq lags

US stocks reversed gains late in the trading day.

Trump legal news brief: Judge Merchan slaps gag order on Trump ahead of hush money trial

Judge Juan Merchan slaps a gag order on former President Donald Trump that prevents him from making public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his hush-money criminal trial which is set to begin on April 15.

March Madness: TV ratings tell the story — the tournament is perfect as is

Despite record television ratings, the powers that be are still talking about expanding the NCAA tournament.

'My skin is tighter and softer': Grab this popular anti-aging retinol cream for $13 — that's almost 50% off

Raved a 65-year-old fan: 'I tried this lotion on one arm and did a comparison. OMG! The difference was astounding and immediate.'

Americans got 'more pessimistic' about the future of the economy in March

Consumers are feeling less confident about the future state of the US economy.

YC-backed SigmaOS browser turns to AI-powered features for monetization

Web browsers have realized they are one of the best ways for users to access the present set of AI tools, so they are working on being the first-choice containers for that. SigmaOS, a Y Combinator-backed company, is now banking on users' desire to utilize AI tools and pay for them as the company is releasing new features like link preview summaries, pinch-to-summarize and "look it up" browsing features. The company is releasing pinch-to-summarize on desktop, which works a bit like Arc's new mobile feature.

Report: L'Jarius Sneed, Titans agree to 4-year deal with $55M guaranteed after trade from Chiefs

The Chiefs gave L'Jarius Sneed the franchise tag this offseason.

NFL approves 'radical' kickoff rule change: Here's what to know

The proposal will impact where teams line up in hopes to reverse the trend of what the league felt was becoming a ceremonial play.

Larry Fink defends BlackRock's energy bets days after Texas dust-up

Larry Fink said BlackRock remains a big investor in oil and gas companies days after a giant Texas retirement system pulled $8.5 billion from the money manager for allegedly engaging in a boycott of the fossil fuel industry.

Utah women's basketball team forced to change hotels after 'racial hate crimes'

The incidents took place in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, forcing the NCAA and host school Gonzaga to scramble to help the Utes relocate to another hotel.

Amazon Big Spring Sale: All of the best tech deals still available today

The Amazon Big Spring Sale 2024 ended on March 25. Here are the best tech deals that are still live.

Wall Street's most bullish strategist cites a 'big surprise' pushing stocks higher: Morning Brief

As stocks rally to record highs, Wall Street strategists continue to raise their forecasts to keep pace.

Tesla will reportedly take customers on a test drive to show off its Full Self-Driving tech

If you're in North America, a Tesla staff member will show you how the automaker's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology works before you can take your car home, according to Bloomberg.

• Maritime Regulations
• Innovative Technology
• Shipmanagement
• Loss Prevention
• Safety - ISM
• Security - ISPS
• Passenger ship
• Infographics

• Privacy Policy | GDPR

Flashback in history: MS Prinsendam fire and sinking 4 October 1980

The cruise ship Prinsendam was built in 1973 for Holland America Line. It was somewhat smaller than average size for its day, carrying about 350 passengers and 200 crew. Just after midnight on 4 October 1980, a fire broke out in the engineroom as the ship was transiting the Gulf of Alaska. Shortly thereafter, the master sent a message to the US Coast Guard requesting assistance.

The ship was then 120 miles south of Cape Spencer and outside the range of USCG helicopters. The Coast Guard advised the master to send out an SOS, but he refused. The chief radio officer sent one anyway. Ships in the area responded, including the tanker Williamsburg and the USCGC Boutwell, which served as the on-scene coordinator. The master gave the order to abandon ship at sunrise.

The Coast Guard, Air Force, and Canadian Forces dispatched long-range helicopters, which carried persons from the lifeboats to the Williamsburg. The Prinsendam was taken under tow, but the fire could not be extinguished and the ship was listing heavily in deteriorating weather. Permission to bring the ship into sheltered waters was denied by the US Coast Guard, but probably had no impact, as the ship sank shortly thereafter. On October 11, 1980, the Prinsendam capsized and sunk, only 7 years after being built.

The Williamsburg brought 359 passengers and crew safely to Valdez.

There were no fatalities and no serious injuries.

In April 1981, Popular Mechanics magazine published an article about the disaster, reproduced here .

In 2002, Holland America Lines acquired the Seabourn Sun and renamed her Prinsendam - as of 2004, she is still in service with them. Click here for information about that ship.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Baltimore bridge collapses after being hit by containership m/v dali, maritime guidance on vehicle carrier presentation and loading of vehicles, flashback in maritime history: exxon valdez oil spill 24 mar 1989 (video), 11 comments.

Reblogged this on .

I was reading the because my husband was on the USCG ship that helped in the rescue, and actually was the one who took this picture .. your facts are not correct.. it was the USCG cutter Munroe that came to the rescue, not the Bouttwell!!! I'm sad, this would have been a good read to show his daughters. He actually took several pictures.. this was one of them.

Hi Lynette, Thank you for getting in touch with us.

We'd be glad to amend the text if you provide us with the required info. We will then cross reference the information provided with a few other sources and if it checks-out we will do it.

Pls revert at [email protected] Use as reference the title: Flashback in history: MS Prinsendam fire and sinking 4 October 1980

Best regards

We have a news aritcle , and more pictures taken by my husband who was on the USCG Munroe at the time this happened.. the 13th district out of seattle is where he was stationed. I find it interesting, that three of the articles i've read.. have different ships, and different facts. He witnessed this first hand... I can see why there is 'fake' news ... wonder where these 'facts' came from inthe first place.

My husband was on the Williamsburg. We still have a blanket from the Prinsendam and the photos in the Readers Digest were the ones he took from the Williamsburg.

Sorry.,.. but there is no record of the MUNRO being involved in the Prinsendam rescue. The USCGC BOUTWELL was the first CG surface asset on-scene followed by the CGC MIDGETTE and CGC WOODRUSH. It is well documented here: https://media.defense.gov/2018/Apr/26/2001908643/-1/-1/0/BOUTWELL1968.PDF.PDF . And in official CG records here: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2011/10/history-arctic-rescue-changes-face-of-coast-guard-operations/ . Might your husband have been on the MELLON and not the MUNRO?

I'm sorry to contradict you but it WAS Boutwell who responded from Juneau. Munro was not involved in this rescue, to my knowledge. I was manning the radio watch at Commsta San Francisco/NMC that night and we were there for the whole thing from the beginning.

My Father also was working there ship as a bartender , crew ship from Indonesian, any one have more pictures

A newer book "None Were Lost" by Stephen J. Corcoran, published recently is a well-informed, accurate accounting of this event. It was recommended to me by David J. Ring Jr., who was radio officer aboard the supertanker Williamasburg, and who still has an audio recording of the Prinsendam's distress call. It is his website, not mine, that include as a link.

I was on the search and rescue desk that night as the officer in charge. We received a call from the captain via marine radio. He stated that a fire had started and his CO2 extinguishers had failed. He requested assistance and I spent the night coordinating helicopters and C-130 aircraft to scene. I had a difficult time convincing Headquarters at Juneau Alaska to get their cutter underway. I am proud to have been a part of saving all the people onboard. I still have a long article from the Lodi, California news paper about the case. If you want some more details, I think I can still remember them.

The USCGC Douglas Munro (WHEC-724) arrived in Seattle about the same time as the USCGC Boutwell; August of 1973. That Munro left Seattle in 1980 for duty in Hawaii. I cannot find anything mentioned in the articles I have transcribed about the Prinsendam rescue, but that only means the news and other accounts did not mention the vessel because it took a subordinate position to the activities of the Boutwell. Also the USCG Commandant's Bulletin Issue 48-80 regarding the Prinsendam does not mention the Munro. I would be very interested to see any other photographs or hear any other stories Lynette Smith or her husband can relay.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Contact us: [email protected]

MaritimeCyprus

© Copyright - MaritimeCyprus

Listen Live

• PROGRAM SCHEDULE
• Election Coverage
• Coronavirus Coverage
• Crime and Courts
• Southeast News
• Alaska News
• National News
• Station Highlights
• Featured Programs
• Live Performances
• The Garden Show
• Sitka History Minute
• COMMUNITY CALENDAR
• Board of Directors
• Community Advisory Board
• Recorded PSA Form
• KCAW Commenting Guidelines
• KCAW Annual EEO Report/CPB Employment Statistical Report
• KCAW Code of Integrity
• Financial Information
• KCAW Diversity Policy
• CPB Local Content and Services
• Memberships
• Sustaining Membership FAQ
• Update Membership Info
• Sponsorship

Select Page

Smoke on the Water: The Sinking of the Prinsendam

Posted by KCAW Staff | Oct 11, 2016

It’s been called the greatest high seas rescue in the history of the Coast Guard. On October 4th, 1980 the luxury cruise liner Prinsendam caught fire in the Gulf of Alaska, between Yakutat and Sitka. Despite an incoming typhoon, 30-foot seas, and 100-meter visibility, every one of the more than 500 passengers and crew escaped before the ship burned and sank.

Rich McClear brings you an hour-long look at that fateful day. The program aired on October 9th, 2016 on Raven Radio. If you missed it, you can hear it in its entirety here!

News Tip Button

Latest_newscast, community calendar, my blogroll.

• Buoy Observations
• Cruise Ship Calendar
• Inside Marine Wx
• Outside Marine Wx
• Sitka Ride Bus Schedule
• Sitka Tides
• Sunrise & Sunset
• The Moon and Stars
• Tsunami Center

Email universal code

Email inline code.

KCAW Prize Drawings: click on the links for rules and winner info.

Alaska Seaplanes Drawing – ends 12/31/22

Alaska Airlines Drawing – ended 4/9/2022

Quiet Drive – ended 4/3/2022

Spring 2023 Quiet Drive – ends 4/2/2023

Allen Marine Drawing – ends 4/6/23

Alaska Seaplanes Drawing – ends 10/8/23

Alaska Airlines Spring 2024 – ends 3/24/24

Watch CBS News

Carnival cruise ship catches fire for the second time in 2 years

By Emily Mae Czachor

Updated on: March 25, 2024 / 9:57 AM EDT / CBS News

A Carnival cruise ship will be out of commission for repairs for at least a week after its exhaust funnel caught fire and partially collapsed Saturday during a trip to the Bahamas. It marked the second time in just under two years that the funnel on this same ship, the Carnival Freedom, went up in flames while carrying passengers. 

What caused the most recent incident is still being investigated, according to the cruise company. No one on board the ship was injured, but Carnival said two fire crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

The Carnival Freedom left from Port Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday and was supposed to travel for several days through the Bahamas before returning Monday to Port Canaveral. It was not immediately clear how many passengers and crew were on board the Freedom when the fire erupted, but the cruise ship can accommodate 2,980 guests and 1,150 crew members at capacity. CBS News contacted Carnival for more information.

The ship initially reported a fire at around 3:15 p.m. EDT on Saturday, on the port side of the ship's exhaust funnel as it sailed 20 miles off of the Bahamas' Eleuthera Island en route to Freeport, the company said in a statement. It had changed course to turn toward Freeport, at the northern tip of the island chain, after cancelling a stop farther south in Princess Cays because of bad weather. Eyewitnesses said that a lightning strike may have sparked the fire, a claim that Carnival said "is being investigated but cannot yet be confirmed."

A fire response team was activated quickly to put out the blaze once it broke out, as the Freedom's captain shifted the cruise liner toward the heavy rain nearby in hopes that would help. The fire was extinguished by 5:20 p.m., Carnival said, including flames from a portion of the funnel that broke off and fell onto one of the ship decks. Funnels are essentially used as smokestacks or chimneys to expel fumes and engine exhaust.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the Carnival Freedom crew was able to extinguish the fire Saturday without their help. They were aware of the fire, though, and issued a Captain of the Port order to the cruise ship before it was scheduled to enter Port Canaveral, Florida, on Monday. Captain of the Port orders are  broad mandates that the Marine Safety and Security Council describes as a tool granting Coast Guard crews "with operational controls over an emergent situation posing safety, security, or environmental risks."

 "We are continuing to monitor the situation," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

Although Carnival said at first that it did not expect the fire to impact trips on the Freedom cruise set to depart Port Canaveral on Monday and Friday, a technical assessment carried out in Freeport on Sunday revealed more significant damage to the ship than they originally thought. The damage would "require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel" after disembarking guests in Port Canaveral on Monday, the company said in an updated statement following the assessment. 

"The funnel has been stabilized for the ship's return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs," Carnival said on Sunday. "We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation." 

Both Carnival Freedom cruises scheduled for this week have been cancelled. Carnival said guests who had booked those cruises would receive full refunds and future cruise credits.

The Carnival Freedom's exhaust funnel last went up in flames less than two years ago, in May 2022. It was in Grand Turk at the time, during a planned five-day trip from Port Canaveral. The ship had 2,504 guests and 972 crew on board, Carnival said at the time. None of the passengers or crew were hurt.

• Cruise Ship

Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.

More from CBS News

Man arrested, another suspect at-large for their connection to Hialeah barbershop fire

2 people injured after small helicopter crashes in Plantation Key

Haiti's Sunrise Airways said it will resume flights to Miami this week

Massive Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots have ticket buyers dreaming big

Fire extinguished on Carnival Freedom cruise ship after witnesses reported possible lightning strike

Heath Barnes opened his book on the upper decks of the Bahamas-bound Carnival Freedom cruise ship in between bouts of rain.

But his relaxation Saturday afternoon was suddenly stolen with “the loudest thunder and lightning I have ever heard,” he told CNN.

Barnes, of Woodsboro, Maryland, went back inside and minutes later learned from his nephew and his nephew’s two friends, all 16, the ship was on fire.

“I thought they were giving me a hard time, but I got up and went out on the balcony and sure enough, the flames and smoke was pouring out of the tail,” said Barnes, who shared footage of the incident with CNN.

Cruise ship officials reported the fire broke out on the port side of the ship’s exhaust funnel around 3:15 p.m. local time, according to a news release from Carnival Cruise Line.

Witnesses reported the ship may have been struck by lightning, but that has not been confirmed and the cause is still being investigated, according to the cruise line.

As the ship’s fire response team worked to extinguish the blaze, the cruise’s captain turned the ship toward an area of heavy rain to help put out the flames, the release states.

The fire appeared to be extinguished about two hours after it ignited. There were no reported injuries to guests, but two firefighting crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation, according to the cruise line.

The port side portion of the exhaust funnel fell onto deck 10 of the ship as a result of the fire, according to Carnival.

The ship was about 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, when the fire broke out. The blaze started as the ship headed to Freeport, the release said.

The cruise line said passengers were able to attend dinner as planned Saturday night.

The US Coast Guard has been notified about the incident.

Barnes said after the fire broke out, passengers were told to remain in their cabins until about 5:40 p.m.

This was his 18th Carnival Cruise trip.

“This was the most interesting one,” he said. “It’s not their fault, it’s Mother Nature.”

Carnival said later on Sunday it had completed a thorough assessment during the ship’s visit to Freeport and discovered the damage was worse than the cruise line initially reported.

The Carnival Freedom cruise trips originally scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, on March 25 and March 29 have been canceled to allow “immediate repair to stabilize the funnel,” the cruise line said in a news release.

“The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs,” according to the updated release.

Carnival announced full refunds and future cruise credits for passengers scheduled to depart on the canceled cruises.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

Investigators search for answers in bridge collapse

Shohei Ohtani says interpreter stole from his account and 'told lies'

Feds search homes of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, sources say

The biggest question about Trump’s Truth Social merger

Mourning in Moscow for terrorist attack that killed 137

Famed waiters' run returns to Paris

Boeing CEO announces he'll step down amid quality control failures

Trump's court cases and his campaign intersect

Home sales up nationwide even as prices rise and mortgage rates remain high

A modern-day woolly mammoth may be just a few years away, biotech company says

Mom fights off daughter’s would-be kidnapper down 4 flights of stairs

Fire breaks out on Carnival cruise and 2 crew members killed aboard Holland America ship

Death toll climbs as Russia holds day of mourning for terror attack victims

Deadline looms for Trump to post $450M+ bond as AG James threatens to seize his assets

Spring snowfall blankets parts of the country

National Guard soldier surprised at graduation by special message from deployed son

Princess Kate’s diagnosis reflects growing number of cancer cases among young people

Family recalls fatal crash of bus carrying Texas preschool students

MLB opens investigation into illegal gambling allegations involving Ohtani interpreter

Severe weather pummels the East Coast on the first weekend of spring

Nightly news.

Flames billowed from the back of the Carnival Freedom cruise ship after a fire ignited in the ship’s exhaust funnel as the vessel was just off the coast of the Bahamas. Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship were killed after an incident in an engineering space aboard the vessel. NBC News’ Marissa Parra reports. March 24, 2024

Best of NBC News

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces Nicole Shanahan as his vice president

Meet the Press

Meet the press now — march 26.

NBC News NOW

Woman shares story of educating herself, escaping afghanistan and helping others.

Supreme Court may rely on ‘procedural punt’ in abortion pill case, says legal expert

Biden acknowledges protesters 'have a point' about getting care into Gaza

Secy. Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore bridge 'will not be easy'