Coast Guard responding to disabled tanker off Queens, N.Y.

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 1st District PA Detachment New York Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment New York Office: (212) 514-4291 After Hours: (917) 703-0983 PA Detachment New York online newsroom

Coast Guard responding to disabled tanker off Queens, N.Y.

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard is coordinating the response to a disabled 479-foot tanker that suffered an engine room fire as it began to depart the New York Harbor area, Wednesday night. 

The asphalt carrier Amber Bay with 22 crew aboard had a fire ignite in the engine room shortly before 8:00 p.m. The crew was able to quickly extinguish the fire using their installed fire suppression system.

At 8:05 p.m., the crew alerted Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector New York about the engine room fire and that the vessel was now disabled approximately three miles south of Breezy Point.

Coast Guard Cutter Shrike, an 87-foot Patrol Boat, and crewmembers from Station Sandy Hook aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat were dispatched to the incident along with NYPD and FDNY marine units. FDNY personnel boarded the vessel and entered the engine room to ensure the fire was extinguished.

A safety zone is now in place and a plan is currently being developed to salvage the stricken vessel.

At this time, there are no reported injuries or pollution.

-USCG-