US Coast Guard assists in emergency response following fire on Alaska tour boat

The US Coast Guard is conducting pollution assessments and a marine casualty investigation following a fire that broke out at the north cruise ship terminal in Whittier, Alaska, on Monday, September 14.

There were no reported injuries. State and local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and US Arctic Command Center watchstanders received a report at approximately 11:00 local time on Monday of a fire at the north cruise ship terminal.

Coast Guard personnel from Sector Western Alaska and US Arctic, along with a response boat and crew from Coast Guard Station Valdez, responded to Whittier to assist local agencies.

At the time of the initial report, the tour boat Klondike Express was moored at the pier with no passengers aboard. The vessel sustained fire damage and was safely moved away from the pier to help prevent the fire from spreading.