Marine Accident Report
Fire on Board the U.S. Fish Processing Vessel
Alaska Spirit
Seward, Alaska
May 27, 1995

NTSB Number MAR-96/01
NTIS Number PB96-916401
PDF Document (1.4M)

Abstract: About 0200 on May 27, 1995, the U.S. fish processing vessel ALASKA SPIRIT caught fire and burned while moored alongside a dock at the Seward Marine Industrial Center, Seward, Alaska. Firefighters extinguished the fire at 1100. The master of the vessel died, and damage to the vessel was estimated at $3 million.

The safety issues addressed in the following report are: adequacy of noncombustible construction standards for uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels; adequacy of fire detection and fire suppression equipment; drills and readiness of on-board firefighting hoses; and existing vessel fire safety standards.

As a result of its investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board made safety recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard, The Fishing Company of Alaska, Incorporated, the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee, and the National Fire Protection Association.