Explosion on Cruise Ship Injures Crew Member, Forces Evacuation

A crew member on a small cruise ship sustained injuries, and hundreds of passengers were evacuated after an explosion occurred in the engine room. The incident took place on Wednesday aboard the American Queen Voyages' Ocean Navigator, which was docked in Portland Harbor, Maine, according to officials.

The injured crew member was transported to a hospital with serious injuries, and 128 passengers were safely removed from the ship, as reported by Sean Donaghue, spokesman for the Portland Fire Department. The remaining 82 individuals evacuated were employees of the cruise liner.

The exact condition of the injured crew member remains unknown, but reports suggest they suffered burns to their hands and arms during the incident.

Explosion Aboard Ocean Navigator

The Ocean Navigator, a 286-foot cruise ship with a capacity for 202 people, had recently docked at the Ocean Gateway Terminal when a generator in the engine room caught fire at around 7:25 a.m., as confirmed by officials.

Quick response from Portland firefighters and the ship's crew resulted in the rapid extinguishing of the flames. The ship is currently undergoing ventilation to remove smoke. The U.S. Coast Guard has stated that passengers will not reboard the vessel.

The ship, constructed in 2001 and refurbished in 2019, is now subject to an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

Statement from American Queen Voyages

American Queen Voyages, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based cruise company, released a statement, assuring that no passengers were injured in the incident. The crew acted swiftly to ensure everyone's safe evacuation from the vessel. One crew member, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, is receiving medical care at a local hospital. The fire has been contained, and collaboration with the local fire department is underway to assess the damage. Guests have been relocated to a nearby hotel.

According to its website, American Queen Voyages offers a variety of cruises, including river, lake, and ocean voyages in different regions, including the Southeast, the Great Lakes, Alaska, New England, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

The investigation into the explosion is ongoing, with updates to follow.