The following is a marine accident brief from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB):
(WASHINGTON) — On Oct. 8, 2018, about 0215 local time, the offshore supply vessel Grand Sun was transiting Chandeleur Sound in the Gulf of Mexico, about 15 miles from the Chandeleur Islands, La., when the vessel caught on fire. The four crewmembers aboard attempted to fight the fire but were unsuccessful. They remained on the stern of the vessel until they were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The fire burned itself out, and the vessel was later towed to port. No pollution or injuries were reported. The vessel, valued at $1.6 million, was deemed a constructive total loss.
Probable cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the fire on Grand Sun was the overheating of electrical wiring associated with a chest freezer or the receptacle powering it, which was located in an accommodation space. Contributing to the extent of the fire damage was the substantial use of combustible wood paneling and drapery throughout the accommodation spaces.
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