Cruise Ship Recues 41 Following Boat Fire

The Holland American ship MS Noordam came to the rescue of 41 passengers stranded in Glacier Bay National Park following a tour boat fire.

The Baranof Wind, a 79-foot sightseeing boat, experienced an engine fire in the afternoon of June 10. The crew aboard the boat were able to contain the fire, however the boat was left partially disabled in the upper portion of Glacier Bay near John Hopkins Glacier.

The MS Noordam responded to a call for aid at approximately 12:35 p.m. local time. The ship lowered a tender, which collected 40 tourists and one Glacier Bay National Park ranger and returned to Noordam.

"We are proud of the proficient response Captain van Donselaar and his team executed in assisting the passengers of Baranof Wind," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "Our crewmembers are highly trained to respond when needed and we were fortunate to have been nearby to provide support."

The sightseers were brought to Bartlett Cove, where the Baranof Wind excursion originated, at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time. Noordam then sailed for its next port of call, Ketchikan, Alaska, where it arrived on Thursday, June 11.

In 2012 another Holland America ship, the MS Volendam, similarly rescued 76 passengers from the Baranof Wind after the vessel struck a rock and began taking on water. The incident also occurred in Glacier Bay National Park.

The MS Noordam was in the middle of a seven-day Alaska cruise that sailed roundtrip from Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 6.