Fire Breaks Out On Coast Guard Cutter Bear Moored at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth VA

Posted in US Coast Guard (USCG),Virginia Maritime News on March 1, 2013

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A news release was sent out on Feb. 28, 2013 by the U.S.Coast Guard about a fire that broke out aboard the Portsmouth-based Cutter Bear. The reports states that the U.S. Coast Guard and Portsmouth Fire Department responded Thursday to a fire aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Bear, while moored at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth.

Photo shows the US Coast Guard Cutter Bear which was launched in 1980. The said ship was built to last for three decades. On Feb. 28, 2013, a fire broke out in the damage control shop aboard the cutter, but was extinguished and contained in the damage control shop within one hour.

The fire was reported at 11:58 a.m. in the damage control shop aboard the cutter.

Personnel aboard the Bear, the Coast Guard Cutter Forward and Base Portsmouth responded to the fire. Portsmouth Fire Department personnel arrived on scene to assist at 12:02 p.m.

The fire was extinguished at 12:48 p.m. and was contained within the damage control shop.

“I was on the pier when the fire started and personally observed the rapid response of Portsmouth emergency services,” said Cmdr. James “Brett” Millican, the executive officer of Base Portsmouth. “I appreciate their professionalism and support for the Coast Guard.”

The Coast Guard Cutter Bear is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth.

No injuries were reported at the time of the accident.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Blog post by Virginia maritime lawyer, Gordon, Elias & Seely.