Firefighters from around the area were at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Monday morning to put out a fire on one of the docked ships. At approximately 1:30 a.m. Monday morning, the fire broke out on the motor vessel Roger Blough. Smoke could be seen for hours after the initial call. Firefighters were still on the scene as of 11 a.m. after the fire was put out. In a statement from the Roger Blough’s operator, Keystone Shipping Company of Bala Cynwyd, Penn., the company announced there were no injuries to the crew and thanked the first responders for their response. They are working with the United States Coast Guard to assess the damage and to determine the cause.
The Roger Blough is no stranger to Door County, having docked at the Bay Shipbuilding several times over the years for winter repairs. At least twice it had to make return trips to Sturgeon Bay after repairs according to BoatNerd.com, including in 2016 when it ran aground near the Gros Cap Reef Light off the shores of Ontario. The Roger Blough was also one of the many vessels that went out to search for the Edmund Fitzgerald after it sank in 1975.
Contact has been made with Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief Tim Dietman for further information about the incident.
Keystone Shipping Statement
Bala Cynwyd, PA (February 1, 2021) – At approximately 0130 today, a fire broke out on the motor vessel Roger Blough. At the time of the incident, the Roger Blough was in winter lay-up at shipyard in Sturgeon bay. There were no injuries to the crew, and the fire is now out.
The Roger Blough is operated by Keystone Shipping Company of Bala Cynwyd, PA. Representatives from Keystone Shipping are on the scene and are cooperating fully with the United States Coast Guard to assess the damage and to determine the cause. Keystone Shipping would like to thank the first responders for their hard work and support throughout this incident.
Sturgeon Bay Fire Department Press Release
Sturgeon Bay Fire Department responded at 0138 for the report of “Smoke coming from the cabin area of the M/V ROGER BLOUGH”. Upon arrival units found heavy smoke coming from the upper level on the M/V ROGER BLOUGH. All members of the BLOUGH were immediately accounted for along with the adjoin boats. The M/V ROGER BLOUGH is in winter layup and is tied up amongst 3 other boats at Fincantieri Bay Ship, Sturgeon Bay. At this time the fire is under investigation by the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department, United States Coast Guard, and NTSB. Approximately 1.4 million gallons of water were used in the extinguishment. At this time no other information will be released until the invention is complete.
Tim Dietman
Sturgeon Bay Fire Department
