Ferry suffers fire off Queensland, passengers evacuated

Ferry suffers fire off Queensland, passengers evacuated
04/04/19 https://safety4sea.com/ferry-suffers-fire-off-queensland-passengers-evac...

The Australian passenger vessel 'Fitzroy Flyer' suffered an engine room fire and all of its four crew and 37 passengers were evacuated, east-north-east of Cairns, Queensland on 29 March 2019.

Fitzroy Flyer departed Fitzroy Island on a return trip to Cairns, when, at about 1410, the vessel’s master noticed the port main engine was over heating and reduced the engine throttle to idle.

Shortly after, a fire alarm activated in the engine compartment. Crew members investigated and reported a suspected fire. Crewmembers then attempted to extinguish the fire using CO2 and dry powder, however, they could not confirm their actions were successful.

All passengers were then mustered and the master advised the port authority of the situation. He then radioed for assistance from nearby vessels in Mission Bay, about 7 NM from Cairns.

At about 1450, the port engine was shut down and the fire suppression system was released. By 1600, all passengers had been evacuated to two vessels.

At 1615, the master started the starboard engine and resumed the voyage to Cairns at slow speed. By 1710, the vessel had been safely berthed without further incident.