On February 18, 2025, a significant fire erupted in the engine room of the towing vessel Thor, which was pushing two barges down the Delaware River. The incident took place at around 09:25, approximately 1.5 nautical miles downriver from New Castle, Delaware.
At the time of the emergency, the vessel, operated by Allegiant Tug Company, had a crew of four aboard, including a captain, mate, engineer, and deckhand. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the captain first noticed smoke and a metallic odor shortly after passing underneath the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
In response to the alarming situation, the captain directed the engineer and mate to investigate the engine room. Upon entering, they were met with heavy black smoke filling the compartment.
To contain the fire, the crew quickly sealed all hatches and ventilation leading to the engine room. The captain then issued a mayday call and skillfully maneuvered the tow outside the Delaware River channel to enhance safety.
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