Fire damages tour vessel at Whittier cruise terminal
No injuries were reported, while the Coast Guard investigates the cause and assesses whether a pollution response is needed.
A fire at Whittier’s north cruise ship terminal significantly damaged the Klondike Express, a 137-foot high-speed catamaran operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours, according to company managing partner Casey Neumann. No injuries were reported.
Neumann said the vessel was unoccupied, without power and moored at the dock when the fire began. She said the blaze originated on the dock before spreading to the Klondike Express. Phillips Cruises & Tours later towed the catamaran away and plans to complete repairs in time for next season, she said.
Anchorage fire officials said the response was complicated by the absence of functional hydrants nearby. U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Omar Faba said the agency was assessing the damage, determining whether a pollution response was necessary and investigating the cause of the incident.
Witness photos and social media posts indicated that Norwegian Jade used onboard equipment against the fire before departing the area. The cruise ship was not involved in the fire.