The Ocean Navigator, managed by American Queen Voyages, faced an explosion in its engine room while it was docked in Portland, Maine. The explosion led to a fire in which one crew member suffered serious burn injuries.
The fire started in the engine room’s generator, which resulted in the explosion. Quick action by the Portland Fire Department meant that the injured crew member received immediate medical care, followed by a transfer to a nearby hospital. While the crew member’s injuries were severe, they weren’t assessed as life-threatening.
At the moment of the incident, 128 passengers and 82 crew members were aboard the Ocean Navigator. Everyone was evacuated securely after the event, with no further injuries. Those evacuated, primarily the passengers, were subsequently placed in a local hotel.
The ship began its trip from Montreal on October 10 and had recently reached Portland. The Ocean Navigator was constructed in 2001 and had undergone renovation in 2019. The incident has brought the ship under intense review as important equipment in the engine room was damaged because of the fire.
Various agencies, namely the U.S. Coast Guard, ATF, Maine State Fire authorities, Portland Fire Department, and Customs and Border Patrol, are now investigating the occurrence. Their focus is on understanding the exact cause of the explosion and deciding whether the ship remains safe for sea journeys.
In light of the incident, measures have been intensified to ensure the passengers’ safety and ease.
