(PORTLAND, Ore.) — The U.S. Coast Guard is supporting Portland Fire & Rescue and other responding agencies after the 623-foot bulk carrier Breeze caught fire Tuesday while moored at the Temco LLC facility on the Willamette River.
The Coast Guard was notified of the fire at 3:10 p.m. and contacted Portland 911 dispatchers, who were already aware and had begun directing a response. Fire department crews worked with vessel crewmembers to extinguish the fire prior to Coast Guard personnel’s arrival on scene.
Lodging quarters have been deemed uninhabitable as a result of the fire and these areas have been evacuated.
Coast Guard personnel with Sector Columbia River Incident Management Division and Marine Inspections have reported no observable marine pollution nor threat to the immediate marine environment.
The Coast Guard is working with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to arrange secure accommodations for the displaced vessel crew to temporarily reside ashore. Living quarters aboard the vessel must be deemed habitable by a qualified, certified inspector prior to the crew’s return.
Coast Guard marine inspectors, Liberian flag representatives and vessel class-specific technical inspectors will work to ensure the vessel is safe for operation and does not pose a risk to the crew, environment nor navigable waterways before it will be authorized to get underway.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.
Watch standers will conduct roving patrols aboard the ship to ensure safety and security of the vessel and adjacent area.
The Coast Guard commended Portland Fire & Rescue and other local first responders for their efficient and professional response extinguishing the shipboard fire.
– U.S. Coast Guard
