Great Lakes Tugboat Fire – Photos

Posted in Jones Act,Maritime Accidents on March 31, 2012

Here are some photos taken of the U.S.-flagged Patrice McAllister tugboat after Tuesdays fatal fire was extinguished, or more like burned out, while transiting Lake Ontario from OH to NY.  According to early reports, the fire likely broke out in the engine room and quickly engulfed the tugboat, killing the chief engineer and injuring five other crewmembers.

The photos were taken by the crew of the rescue tug, Bowditch, which is owned and operated by Abaco Marine Towing, LLC of Clayton, NY.  The fire is being investigated by both U.S. and Canadian officials since it technically occurred in Canadian waters.

“It was bad, totally burned out, adrift and abandoned on Lake Ontario. The heat was intense, and made connecting up the tow tough. Rudder was jammed about 10 degrees to port, so she didn’t tow very well.” – Master of the Bowditch rescue tug

A full collection of photos can be found HERE.