On Wednesday morning, October 18, 2023, the engine room of the Ocean Navigator, a cruise ship run by American Queen Voyages, experienced an explosion leading to a fire when the vessel was anchored at a pier in Portland, Maine. As a result, a crew member faced serious burn injuries.

The blaze had its source in the engine room’s generator, which triggered the explosion. The swift response from the Portland Fire Department played a vital role in ensuring that the crew member, who was seriously burned, got timely medical care. After this initial treatment, the individual was shifted to a nearby hospital. It was later confirmed that the injuries, though grave, weren’t critical to the individual’s life.

There were 128 passengers and 82 crew members on the Ocean Navigator when the incident took place. In the aftermath, everyone was evacuated safely without any further injuries. The passengers, after evacuation, were accommodated at a nearby hotel for their safety.

The cruise had started its voyage from Montreal on October 10 and had only recently docked in Portland, Maine. 

The ship’s history traces back to its construction in 2001, with a significant refurbishment in 2019. Following the incident, the ship’s safety and condition are now being closely examined, especially since important machinery in the engine room has been affected.

Several authoritative bodies, among them the U.S. Coast Guard, ATF, Maine State Fire authorities, Portland Fire Department, and Customs and Border Patrol, have started investigations. Their main objectives are to ascertain the primary cause of the explosion and assess if the ship is still fit for sea travel.

After the explosion, significant measures were taken to guarantee the well-being and comfort of the ship’s passengers.