The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(CHARLEVOIX, Mich.) — The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Station Charlevoix and Boyne City, Michigan, Fire Department responded to a fire aboard a Charlevoix ferry Friday afternoon on Lake Charlevoix.
All passengers and crew were safely escorted off the vessel with no reported injuries.
Just before 3 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, received notification of a vehicle on fire aboard the passenger vessel Charlevoix, a 50-foot four-car cable ferry, while the vessel was moored to the pier.
Crews from the Boyne City Fire Department arrived on scene, extinguished the fire and removed the vehicle. A Station Charlevoix crew, aboard a 45-foot response boat, diverted from nearby to assist.
A Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie marine inspector also responded to the scene to investigate.
Due to damage caused by the fire, the Charlevoix has been shut down until Monday for further assessment of damage to ensure passenger safety.
