US Coast Guard Probes Back-to-Back Ship Fires in Puerto Rico

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating two separate engine room fires that occurred on consecutive days aboard vessels docked in Puerto Rico. Fortunately, no injuries or environmental damage were reported in either incident.

The first fire broke out on the evening of May 17 aboard the passenger vessel Breezy Point, which was docked at Vieques Pier. At approximately 9:15 p.m. local time, watchstanders at Sector San Juan were alerted to a fire in the ship’s port-side engine room. The incident occurred shortly after the vessel had completed a passenger voyage from Ceiba.

Initial firefighting efforts by the crew using handheld extinguishers were unsuccessful, but the blaze was eventually brought under control using the ship’s built-in fire suppression system. All passengers were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

The following day, on May 18, a second fire occurred aboard the product tanker Scot Stuttgart while it was moored at N Wharf in Puerto Nuevo Channel. Sector San Juan received the report around 3:43 a.m. local time, indicating a fire had started in the ship's port-side generator within the engine room.

The crew quickly responded with the vessel’s fire suppression system, successfully extinguishing the initial flames. However, thick smoke was observed coming from the same area just over two hours later, at 5:55 a.m. The suppression system was activated once more, and the fire was extinguished for a second time.

In both instances, local fire department teams were dispatched to the vessels to assess conditions and ensure all spaces were safe before operations resumed.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector San Juan has launched formal investigations into both incidents to determine their causes and ensure safety protocols were properly followed.