Fatal fire aboard Oceania Insignia in the Caribbean.

Rather than my usual rant this week I thought it appropriate to spare a thought for the one crew member and two contractors that unfortunately perished in a fire on board Oceania Insignia when the ship was recently docked in St Lucia. The fire which broke out in the engine room was contained and the 656 passengers on board were safely evacuated, sadly the same can’t be said for the three workers who lost their lives.

The US National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending officials to help with the investigation, which was being led by the Marshall Islands where the ship is registered. A company spokesman Jason Lasecki, said;

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred this morning on Insignia,” adding that passengers would be fully refunded and charter flights had been arranged to take them to Miami, as well as accommodation until they could be flown to their cities of origin. Oceania’s president and other officials were in St Lucia.

A particularly terrible time of year for such a tragedy to hit I’m sure you’ll agree, so during your own festivities, I’ll ask you to raise a glass and spare a thought for those who lost their lives.

Bye for now.