Fire on Board the Liberian Passenger Ship Ecstasy, Miami, Florida ...

Factual Information 14 Marine Accident ReportMasterThe master, age 72, had been going to sea professionally for 52 years. He heldunlimited master’s licenses from Italy and from Liberia. He had sailed for Carnival CruiseLines since 1985; he had been a master on company ships for all but the first 3 months ofhis time with the company. Four years before the July 20, 1998, fire, he had served asmaster on the Ecstasy for 8 months. He had been on the vessel for 1 month at the time ofthe fire.Staff CaptainThe staff captain, age 52, had been going to sea professionally since 1965. He heldunlimited master’s licenses from Italy and from Liberia. He had sailed for Carnival CruiseLines since 1991 and had served in all officer positions from third officer to staff captain.The staff captain also served as the ship’s Health and Safety Officer (HSO).Safety OfficerThe safety officer, age 35, had been going to sea professionally since he was 17years old. He held unlimited master’s licenses from Italy, from Liberia, from Panama, andfrom the United Kingdom. He acted as the on-scene commander of the ship’s firefightingorganization. He was also responsible for maintaining safety and firefighting equipmentand for providing onboard emergency training for the crew.First OfficerThe on-duty first officer, age 42, was one of three first officers on board theEcstasy. He held unlimited master’s licenses from Italy, from Liberia, and from Panama.He had sailed on passenger ships for 6 years, exclusively with Carnival Cruise Lines.Chief EngineerThe chief engineer, age 51, held unlimited chief engineer’s licenses from Italy andfrom Liberia. He was responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of allshipboard engineering systems, including propulsion, electrical, plumbing, and airconditioning. He joined Carnival Cruise Lines in 1978 as a first engineer. He waspromoted to staff chief engineer in 1981 and to chief engineer in 1986.Galley FittersThe “first” galley fitter, age 35, was on his second contract 11 with Carnival CruiseLines. He had obtained welding certification in the Philippines and training from Unitor.He had been recently promoted to fitter from assistant fitter.The “second” galley fitter, age 25, went to a 3-year trade school in Peru, where hereceived welding training and certification. He was hired by Carnival Cruise Lines inDecember 1996 as assistant fitter and later promoted to fitter.11 Each contract lasts 7 months.