Chief Engineer Killed in Fatal Engine Room Fire on Great Lakes Tug

Posted in Jones Act,Tug Boat Accidents on March 28, 2012

The chief engineer of a McAllister tugboat has been killed after a fire broke out aboard his vessel while transiting Lake Ontario some seven miles south of Prince Edward Point, Ontario.
The fire erupted at about 2 am on Tuesday in the engine room of the 105-foot Patrice McAllister, a U.S.-flagged tugboat transiting Lake Ontario from Toledo, Ohio, to a port in New York.

The chief engineer, who has not yet been identified, was flown to a hospital in Belleville, Ontario, before being transferred to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto where he died Wednesday morning from his injuries.  Five other crewmembers from the vessel were taken aboard the CCGS Cape Hearne and their condition has not yet been released.

The investigation into the incident is being led by the USCG with help from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada and Transport Canada-Marine Safety are also conducting an investigation since the incident technically occurred in Canadian waters.

Hopefully this tragic start to the 2012 Great Lakes shipping season is not an indication of the year ahead.