This summary report discusses the April 8, 2008, engineroom fire on board the small passenger vessel 'Queen of the West'. The vintage-styled paddlewheel vessel, carrying 124 overnight passengers and 53 crewmembers, was eastbound on the Columbia River near Rufus, Oregon, when the vessels automatic fire detection system alerted the crew to the fire. The crew was able to suppress the fire using the vessels fixed fire suppression system. The 'Queen of the West' did not need to be emergency-evacuated. One crewmember was treated for mild hypothermia as a result of the accident. The 'Queen of the West' sustained about $3.9 million in damage. The following safety issues were identified as a result of the accident investigation: importance of having a functioning automatic fire detection system and a fixed fire suppression system on small passenger vessels; and the inadequate requirements for small passenger vessels regarding out-of-water survival craft for passengers and crew. As a result of its investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) makes one new recommendation and reiterates a previous recommendation, both to the U.S. Coast Guard.


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    Title :

    National Transportation Safety Board Marine Accident Summary Report: Engineroom Fire On Board U.S. Small Passenger Vessel, 'Queen of the West', Columbia River, near Rufus, Oregon, on April 8, 2008


    Publication date :

    2009


    Size :

    30 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English