Alaska officials call Whittier cruise dock damage a total loss
No injuries were reported in the prolonged fire, which also damaged a vacant tour catamaran and forced an event relocation.
The Alaska State Fire Marshal’s Office described damage to Whittier’s cruise dock as a total loss, according to Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, which includes the marshal’s office.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the fire was reported shortly before 11 a.m. Monday and was fully extinguished around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. A lack of working hydrants complicated firefighting efforts. No injuries were reported, but a vacant Phillips Cruises & Tours high-speed catamaran was damaged. Norwegian Jade, which was nearby, departed without incident.
The affected Glacier Gateway Terminal was developed through a partnership that included Huna Totem Corp. and Norwegian Cruise Line. Huna Totem said it was continuing to evaluate the damage and did not yet have enough information to determine the facility’s overall condition or the implications for future operations, repairs and timelines.
The fire also prompted officials to move the scheduled Oct. 3 commissioning of the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Ted Stevens to the Princess Cruises terminal in Whittier.