LISTEN: Ocean Navigator Fire Traced to Improper Oil Changes

On October 9, 2023, the Ocean Navigator passenger vessel owned by Victory Cruise Lines began a 10-night cruise from Montreal, Canada, to Boston, Massachusetts, with 128 passengers and 82 crewmembers aboard. Nine days later, at about 7:00 am, the vessel was docked in Portland, Maine, when a fire broke out in the engine room.

The NTSB released a report this week that traced the fire to debris in the engine's lube oil system, which led to a catastrophic mechanical failure in the no. 2 auxiliary diesel generator engine. The fire injured a crewmember, but it self-extinguished after the crew ventilated the engine room. Still, the incident caused some $2.4 million in damage.