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

83 Marine Accident ReportAppendixesAppendix AInvestigationThe Safety Board first became aware of the accident through national mediacoverage on the evening of July 20, 1998. Later that evening, the Safety Board dispatcheda 12-person team from Washington, D.C. The team arrived in Miami shortly aftermidnight and boarded the Ecstasy when it docked. Safety Board investigators met withCarnival representatives, the Coast Guard, and local emergency response agencies. Laterin the morning of July 21, investigators began examining the fire scene and interviewingwitnesses. The initial on-scene investigation lasted from July 21-26; investigators returnedto the Ecstasy on three occasions while it underwent repairs. The on-scene investigationended on August 24, 1998.The following organizations were parties in the investigation: Carnival CruiseLines, the Republic of Liberia, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Miami-Dade <strong>Fire</strong> RescueDepartment, and the Florida Division of State <strong>Fire</strong> Marshall.The Safety Board held a public hearing in regard to the accident in Miami onFebruary 17-18, 1999.