Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound received a call from the ferry’s crew at about 11 a.m. stating that the vessel was roughly 100 yards from shore when the fire started. The vessel energized an onboard fixed fire-fighting system and was able to extinguish most of the fire. The Fair Harbor Fire Department also responded to the scene and assisted.
The Fire Island Belle pulled into Fair Harbor, N.Y., near Fire Island, and safely offloaded 130 passengers. There were no reports of injuries or pollution as a result of the incident.
Coast Guard marine investigators from Marine Safety Detachment Coram, N.Y., responded to the scene and administered drug and alcohol testing on the vessel’s crew.
Fire Island Ferry Company arranged for the vessel to be towed to its home berth in Bay Shore, N.Y.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
