Ardent contracted tugs, Triton, Beth M. McAllister and Brooklyn McAllister tow the Caribbean Fantasy to Pier 15 in San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. 511 people were evacuated from the ship following a fire Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016

AUGUST 29, 2016 — The 561 ft cruise ferry Caribbean Fantasy which caught fire off Puerto Rico on August 17 is covered by an OPA-90, Salvage and Marine Fire Fighting “SMFF” coverage program provided by salvage company Ardent.

Ardent responded to the incident onboard the vessel.

Prior to Ardent operations, the U.S. Coast Guard and successfully evacuated more than 500 passengers and crew members.

“We did a dive survey of the vessel at sea, found that there was minimal damage to the hull, and brought her to port with the USCG’s approval. Our fire team then went onboard to extinguish the fire,” said Ardent Salvage Master, Guy Wood.

McAllister Towing was one of Ardent’s OPA-90 partners that assisted in responding with two of its Z-drive tractor tugs, Brooklyn McAllister and, Beth M. McAllister.

Puerto Rico Towing and Barge and Moran Towing also provided tugs for the operation.

Ardent demobilized emergency response personnel and equipment on August 25, one week after the successful operation, and handed the vessel back to the shipowner.

“It was a smooth job. We berthed [the Caribbean Fantasy] at the port and implemented our heavy weather mooring plan, then returned the vessel to her owner,” said Wood.

Ardent operates a network of dedicated marine emergency response capabilities worldwide. The salvage company has a strong history with unique marine incidents that require dedicated firefighting response activities.

In 2015, Ardent staff responded to a vehicle and passenger ferry that caught fire near Mallorca, Spain, with marine firefighting, and salvage capabilities. The ferry was safely towed back to port, and all passengers were safe.

In the same year, Ardent responded to a stricken chemical tanker with flammable cargo under OPA-90 coverage in the Houston Ship Channel. Although a fire did not occur, the vessel sustained a breached hull. Ardent responders safely drained, and towed the vessel to port while keeping firefighting capabilities on standby.

Ardent contracted tugs, Triton, Beth M. McAllister and Brooklyn McAllister tow the Caribbean Fantasy to Pier 15 in San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. 511 people were evacuated from the ship following a fire Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016

AUGUST 29, 2016 — The 561 ft cruise ferry Caribbean Fantasy which caught fire off Puerto Rico on August 17 is covered by an OPA-90, Salvage and Marine Fire Fighting “SMFF” coverage program provided by salvage company Ardent.

Ardent responded to the incident onboard the vessel.

Prior to Ardent operations, the U.S. Coast Guard and successfully evacuated more than 500 passengers and crew members.

“We did a dive survey of the vessel at sea, found that there was minimal damage to the hull, and brought her to port with the USCG’s approval. Our fire team then went onboard to extinguish the fire,” said Ardent Salvage Master, Guy Wood.

McAllister Towing was one of Ardent’s OPA-90 partners that assisted in responding with two of its Z-drive tractor tugs, Brooklyn McAllister and, Beth M. McAllister.

Puerto Rico Towing and Barge and Moran Towing also provided tugs for the operation.

Ardent demobilized emergency response personnel and equipment on August 25, one week after the successful operation, and handed the vessel back to the shipowner.

“It was a smooth job. We berthed [the Caribbean Fantasy] at the port and implemented our heavy weather mooring plan, then returned the vessel to her owner,” said Wood.

Ardent operates a network of dedicated marine emergency response capabilities worldwide. The salvage company has a strong history with unique marine incidents that require dedicated firefighting response activities.

In 2015, Ardent staff responded to a vehicle and passenger ferry that caught fire near Mallorca, Spain, with marine firefighting, and salvage capabilities. The ferry was safely towed back to port, and all passengers were safe.

In the same year, Ardent responded to a stricken chemical tanker with flammable cargo under OPA-90 coverage in the Houston Ship Channel. Although a fire did not occur, the vessel sustained a breached hull. Ardent responders safely drained, and towed the vessel to port while keeping firefighting capabilities on standby.