2006, March 27: A fire on board The Star Princess, en route to Montego Bay, Jamaica, from Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) on March 23, razed through 157 cabins between decks 8 and 10, causing injury to 11 persons and was probably the cause, indirectly, of one fatality.

The fire started in the passenger accommodations and spread rapidly to adjacent cabins.

Princess Cruises subsequently confirmed that there was one passenger fatality, two passengers with significant smoke inhalation injuries and nine passengers with minor complications resulting from smoke inhalation. The injured passengers were treated in the ship's medical centre.

The dead man was identified as Richard Liffidge, 75, from Georgia, USA. Mr. Liffidge collapsed on the ship's deck. His wife, who sustained injuries from smoke inhalation, was one of 11 persons subsequently treated at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James. Two other injured passengers were airlifted to the United States.

The Bermuda-registered ship was carrying a total of 2,690 passengers and 1,123 crew.

The ship’s location at the time was approximately 50 miles North West of Montego Bay. She arrived in port at 0940hrs., about two hours after the scheduled time.  By all indications it is apparent the fire was contained within an hour.

The following day, the USA’s National Transportation Safety Board sent an investigator to Jamaica to assist in the investigations. However, it was the United Kingdom's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) that was leading the investigation.

"This is an important industry for the United States because every year millions of Americans enjoy their vacations on board cruise ships. We appreciate the opportunity to work closely with the MAIB in this investigation," said NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker.

The NTSB participated in the investigation under the provisions of the International Maritime Organization's Code for Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents. All information regarding the investigation will be released through the MAIB.

Princess Cruise lines issued the following statement on March 23: “Star Princess is currently docked in Montego Bay following a fire aboard the ship early this morning as the ship was in transit between Grand Cayman and the Jamaican port as part of a seven-day voyage. The origin of the fire is still unknown, and Princess is cooperating fully with investigators from the U.S. Coast Guard and other regulatory agencies to determine the cause and assess the damage. We at Princess extend our deepest sympathy to the passengers and their families who were personally affected by the fire, in particular the family of the passenger who passed away, along with those passengers who experienced smoke inhalation injuries. This is the first time such a tragedy has occurred during the history of our company, and we are devastated by this incident. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the fire. Following an assessment of the damaged cabins, we believe the best course of action is to terminate the current cruise in Montego Bay. All passengers currently onboard will be flown home over the next two days, and will receive a full refund of their cruise and air fare. In addition Princess will cover any out-of-pocket travel expenses our passengers may incur for this change of plans. We will also provide passengers with a future cruise credit equal to 25 percent of the cruise fare paid on this voyage. Passengers in the cabins affected by the fire -- which number approximately 100 -- will be provided accommodations at hotels ashore in Montego Bay tonight, and the other passengers will remain on the ship until their flights home over the next two days. The ship is safe and is fully operational and continues to provide passengers with full services. The following cruise, scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale on March 26, will also be cancelled. Over the course of the next few days we will fully assess damage caused by the fire and plan to make the necessary temporary repairs to enable the ship to maintain its onward schedule. A plan for the repairs to the affected cabins will also be drawn up, and passengers booked in those cabins will be advised as soon as possible of our forward plans."

Star Princess left Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Sunday, March 19, on a western Caribbean itinerary with calls at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Princess Cays.

Lannaman and Morris are agents in Jamaica for Carnival Corporation, owners of the Star Princess.