UPDATE: MS Westerdam Returns to Port after Boiler Room Fire

A fire in the boiler room aboard a Holland America cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, sailing with over 2,900 people onboard has caused the cruise liner to return to port in Seattle, according to the U.S. Coast Guard officials.

MS Westerdam Returns to Port Boiler Room Fire

 
“At approximately 5:15 p.m. local time on June 28, a small fire occurred in one of the boiler rooms onboard ms Westerdam after sailing from Seattle at 4:00 p.m. on a scheduled departure,” Holland America Line said in a statement on June 29.

The fire was quickly put out by the crew before it had a chance to cause any significant damage. However, the company decided to return the vessel to port as a precaution measure.

There were no injuries in the fire.

Holland Line said that the ship returned to port under its own power adding that all onboard hotel systems and guest services were fully operational at all times.

The Westerdam was embarking on a 7-day Alaska cruise carrying  2,086 passengers and 798 crew members onboard when the fire occurred.

“An assessment was completed and the ship was cleared to sail by both the U.S. Coast Guard and Lloyd’s Register, the classification society for the vessel. In preparation for sailing, we have taken some additional precautionary repair measures that delayed our departure time longer than anticipated.”

The ship will resume its journey on the revised itinerary plan shared with guests onboard, which cancels the port call in Sitka, Alaska.

The ship departed Seattle at approximately 10:15 a.m. PDT on Sunday, June 26th.

“Guests will receive an onboard credit of US $250 per stateroom, as well as a Future Cruise Credit equal to 25% of the base cruise fare they paid for the cruise,
” Holland Line America concluded.

[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, July 1, 2014, Image: Wikimedia