Cause of Norwegian Cruise Ship Fire Still Unclear
The MS Nordlys, operated by Hurtigruten ASA, has been moved to a shipyard to undergo repairs from a Sept. 15 fire. The operator says four other ships equipped with the same engine are continuing their cruises.
The MS Nordlys has been moved to a shipyard to undergo repairs of the damage caused by a Sept. 15 fire that began in its engine room. Two crewmen were killed. CEO Olav Fjell of the ship's operator, Hurtigruten ASA, confirmed in an interview with a Norwegian newspaper that four other ships his company operates are equipped with the same engine and have not been pulled from service because Hurtigruten and the engine manufacturer agreed the engines are safe.
The cause of the fire on the Nordlys has not been determined, however.
The ship was sailing north along the western coast of Norway when the fire began around 9 a.m. local time during a planned stop in Ålesund. It docked there, and emergency responders then fought the fire and worked to prevent the ship from capsizing as it listed to 22 degrees.
Hurtigruten said there were 207 guests on board the Nordlys and a crew of 55 people.
All of the passengers were evacuated safely and were later flown to their homes, either with their luggage or with Hurtigruten promising to send it to them as quickly as possible, according to the company.
Data posted on Hurtigruten's website shows the ship was built in 1994 and can accommodate 691 passengers.