b'SAFETY MATTERSSAFETYNTSB Marine Investigation Reporton the M/V Spirit of Norfolk FireERIC CHRISTENSEN // PVA DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS & RISK MANAGEMENTO nOct.24,2023,theNa- towed to a nearby U.S. Navy base pier,likelyorigin,firefightingresponse, tional Transportation Safetywherefollowingaseriesofmistakesandsubsequentinvestigation.The Board (NTSB) released theirandmiscommunication,thefirereportalsodiscussestheregulatory reportontheJune7,2022,enginespreadthroughoutthevesselbeforeframeworkforexistingvessels,and roomfireaboardthe169-foot-longbeing extinguished four days later. AsNTSB recommendations from previ-small passenger vessel M/V Spirit ofa result, the vessel was declared a con- ous fire casualties. NTSB provided 12 Norfolk while the vessel was underwaystructive total loss. findings as part of the report: on the Elizabeth River near Naval Sta-tion Norfolk, Va. The crew was ableNTSB FINDINGS AND 1.None of the following were safety to contain the fire to the engine roomPROBABLE CAUSE issues for the casualty: (1) weather and evacuated all passengers from theThecompleteMarineInvestigationand waterway conditions, (2) crew vessel to a good Samaritan vessel with- Reportcanbefoundhereandpro- impairment due to alcohol or other out injury or pollution. The vessel wasvidesvaluableinsightintothefiresdrugs, or (3) a steering gear hydrau-lic system failure. 2.ThefireoriginatedintheM/V SpiritofNorfolksengineroom, INNOVATIVE near the outboard side of the port UNIQUEmain engine. PROVEN 3.Althoughadefinitiveignition sourcecannotbedetermined,the most likely cause of the fire was the ignitionofcombustiblematerials stored near the exhaust pipe of the operating port generator. 4. The lack of a fire detection system in the engine room delayed detec-tion and allowed for the growth of the fire, which precluded crew fire-fighting efforts. 5. Theexemptionforengineroom fire detection systems on Subchap-terKsmallpassengervesselsthat were in operation as of March 10, 1996, presents an increased risk to passengersandcrewmembersof Bellingham, WA | 360.647.7602 undetected fires. Sales@allamericanmarine.comFOGHORN 30'