NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
March 30, 2006

NTSB'S BOARD TO MEET ON 2004 ENGINEROOM FIRE ON
SMALL PASSENGER VESSEL NEAR PORT RICHEY, FLORIDA

One item is on the agenda: On October 17, 2004, a fire broke out in the engineroom of the Express Shuttle II in the Pithlachascotee River near Port Richey, Florida. The U.S. small passenger vessel was returning from the Gulf of Mexico, where it had ferried 78 passengers to a casino boat moored offshore. The master and two deckhands were the only persons onboard when the fire occurred. After attempting to fight the fire with portable fire extinguishers, the crew abandoned the vessel. A passing recreational boater rescued the crew. One member of the crew was treated at the local hospital for smoke inhalation. The boat, valued at $800,000, was a total loss.

A live and archived webcast of the proceedings will be available on the Board's website at www.ntsb.gov. Technical support details are available under "Board Meetings." To report any problems, please call 703-993-3100 and ask for Webcast Technical Support.

A summary of the Board's final report, which will include findings, probable cause and safety recommendations, will appear on the web site shortly after the conclusion of the meeting. The entire report will appear on the web site several weeks later.

Directions to Board Room: Front door located on Lower 10th Street, directly below L'Enfant Plaza. From Metro, exit L'Enfant Plaza station at 9th and D Streets escalator, walk through shopping mall, at CVS store take escalator down one level. Board room will be to your left.

NTSB Media Contact: Terry N. Williams, (202) 314- 6100, williat@ntsb.gov