Norwegian Jade Helps Fight Major Fire at Alaska Cruise Terminal

A major fire erupted at the recently constructed Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal in Whittier, Alaska, on Monday, September 14, with large flames and heavy smoke visible along the waterfront.

The U.S. Coast Guard received its first notification of the incident at approximately 11 a.m. The blaze affected both the terminal pier and the Klondike Express, a tour vessel operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours that was moored alongside the dock at the time.

There were no passengers aboard the Klondike Express when the fire began. The vessel was released from the pier and moved away from the terminal before firefighters extinguished the flames onboard. Images taken after the incident showed that the tour boat had sustained visible damage.

Norwegian Jade was also alongside the terminal when the emergency developed. Before leaving the dock, the cruise ship joined the firefighting effort, directing powerful streams of water from its upper decks toward the burning pier.

As the situation became increasingly hazardous, the captain and crew moved Norwegian Jade away from the terminal and repositioned the vessel on the opposite side of the bay.

Passengers were able to board the cruise ship at its new location, and no damage to Norwegian Jade was reported.

Passenger Shawn McMaster praised the ship’s captain and crew for their professional response to the emergency and for keeping guests updated as the situation unfolded.

Several emergency services responded to the fire, including Whittier Fire, Girdwood Fire and Rescue, Anchorage Fire, LifeMed Alaska and the U.S. Coast Guard. A Coast Guard response boat and crew from Station Valdez were also dispatched to assist.

Authorities established a 500-yard safety zone around the cruise terminal and instructed local residents and mariners to stay away from the area while emergency crews tackled the blaze. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel was also temporarily closed to allow first responders to reach Whittier.

No injuries were reported during the incident. Officials confirmed that all 2,000 gallons of diesel carried aboard the Klondike Express were accounted for, and no fuel sheen was observed in the surrounding water.

Investigations are now underway to determine what caused the fire and establish the full extent of the damage sustained by the Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal.