The vessel is now in port in Kristiansand, and the
shipping authorities and the ship owners have initiated
investigations to establish the cause of the fire.
Onboard were 758 passengers and a crew of 126 members on
their way from Newcastle to Gothenburg when the fire broke
out. The passengers were gathered on the upper deck.
However, it did not become necessary to evacuate the
ship.
The fire was put out by 00.30 a.m. on Saturday.
"We are happy that it went so well and that none of our
passengers got hurt. Any fire onboard a vessel is
serious, and Jens Knudsen, captain of the PRINCESS OF
SCANDINAVIA, initiated all precautionary measures. The
captain commends the passengers for calm conduct during the
fire.
”Now we shall do our utmost to help our passengers”,
Thor Johannesen, managing director of DFDS Seaways, points
out.
"Preparedness and weekly fire drills prevented a
dramatic situation, but of course a situation like this
is frightening. Now we will go through our routines
and work hard to find the cause of the fire. Our passengers
must feel certain that it is safe and comfortable to travel
with DFDS Seaways A/S".
Everybody onboard has been offered emergency relief.
About 600 of the passengers were on their way to
Gothenburg, and they have been offered alternative travel
possibilities. Minicruise passengers will be transported
back to Newcastle by charter plane, and all their travel
expenses will be reimbursed.
Yours faithfully,
DFDS Seaways A/S
Thor Johannesen
Managing Director