Alaska Coast Guard Sector Helps Battle Tanker Fire

U.S. Coast Guard members in Alaska recently battled a fire on the Atlantic Lily, a 600-foot foreign-flagged tank vessel. Image: USCG.

The Coast Guard responded to a fire aboard the tank vessel Atlantic Lily at the Port of Anchorage in November.

At about 10 p.m. Nov. 18, thick, black smoke was seen billowing from the exhaust stack of the 600-foot foreign-flagged tank vessel, following by a loud boom and flames, according to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard said that it responded to the emergency by deploying fire hoses and extinguishing the flames, and that Anchorage Fire Department and Port of Alaska personnel arrived on scene shortly after to provide support.

The vessel was reportedly transferring jet fuel at the time of the incident and cargo operations were suspended until the fire was extinguished and a thorough investigation was conducted.

“It was determined that an issue with the vessel’s auxiliary boiler caused an improper fuel-to-air mixture, igniting a buildup of soot in the exhaust stack which resulted in a loud boom and flames,” the Coast Guard said, adding that the vessel’s owners have brought in a technical expert to troubleshoot the problem.

The vessel, after being moored in Anchorage for several hours, was able to resume normal operations, according to the USCG.

No pollution or injuries were reported at the time of the incident.