Indonesian Crew Member Dies After Fire On World Legacy Cruise Ship Near Singapore

One Indonesian crew member has died following a fire on board the Liberia-registered passenger vessel World Legacy while it was en route to Singapore in the early hours of 20 February.

All 271 passengers were safely evacuated and no other injuries were reported, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

The fire broke out on deck nine at about 4am Singapore time. MPA said the blaze was extinguished by marine firefighters from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The vessel is currently in a stable condition and anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage, located between Pulau Senang and Pulau Semakau within the Port of Singapore.

There were 388 crew members on board, none of whom were Singaporean. Of the 271 passengers, 139 were Singaporeans.

MPA had initially reported at about 8.30am that there were 224 passengers, including 185 Singaporeans, but later clarified that the earlier figures were based on preliminary information and had since been reconciled with the vessel’s onboard records.

The first group of 190 passengers was evacuated to HarbourFront Ferry Terminal, and the remaining passengers were subsequently disembarked.

SCDF paramedics and emergency medical technicians were deployed on site to provide medical support. Some passengers were seen clearing customs and being attended to by officers from the Singapore Police Force.

MPA confirmed that the deceased crew member’s body had been transferred ashore and that the relevant authorities were handling the necessary follow-up procedures. The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore has been informed.

A core crew remains on board to conduct safety checks, carry out essential operations, and support investigations, while the remaining crew are disembarking progressively.

MPA has established a safety zone around the vessel and is issuing navigational broadcasts advising passing ships to keep clear. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

In response to media queries, the vessel’s operator, World Cruises, stated that it is cooperating fully with the authorities and that passenger and crew safety remains its priority.

World Legacy operates under a flexible cruise model, allowing guests to choose varying lengths of stay, with boarding available from Singapore and Malaysia.

The vessel has more than 300 cabins and is marketed as a hybrid cruise offering short visits as well as multi-night stays.

References: channelnewsasia, straitstimes

Source: Maritime Shipping News