MV Spirit of Norfolk
{{Short description|American passenger ship}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = | Ship caption = }} {{Infobox ship career | Ship country = {{nowrap|United States}} | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United States}} | Ship name = Spirit of Norfolk | Ship registry = Norfolk, Virginia | Ship namesake = | Ship builder = | Ship yard number = | Ship identification = *{{IMO|8992998}}
| Ship laid down = | Ship launched = 1992 | Ship commissioned = | Ship honors = | Ship fate = | Ship ordered = | Ship owner = Entertainment Cruises Inc. }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Ship type = Passenger ship | Ship tonnage = {{GT|867}} | Ship length = {{convert|46.51|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|10.06|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draft = | Ship propulsion = | Ship speed = | Ship range = | Ship power = | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = | Ship armour = | Ship crew = | Ship notes = | Ship ice class = }} |
Description
Spirit of Norfolk is a {{GT|867}} passenger ship. The vessel is {{convert|46.51|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long, with a beam of {{convert|10.06|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and draft of {{convert|2.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |title=Spirit of Norfolk |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:434720/mmsi:367022930/imo:8992998/vessel:SPIRIT_OF_NORFOLK |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=MarineTraffic.com |language=en}} It has three decks, with the first two being named after the Potomac and Delaware rivers and the third being a rooftop deck. The Potomac deck contains dining services for the ship and the Delaware deck contains a bar and dance floor. With a maximum capacity of 320 passengers, the vessel currently performs tours of the Norfolk harbor.{{Cite web |title=Spirit of Mount Vernon |url=https://www.cityexperiences.com/norfolk/city-cruises/our-fleet/spirit-of-mount-vernon/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=City Experiences™ |language=en-US}}
History
= ''The Spirit'' (1978-1981) =
= ''Spirit of Norfolk'' (1992-2022) =
The second iteration, Spirit of Norfolk, was a {{GT|1151}} passenger ship built by Service Marine Industries in Amelia, Louisiana in 1992 as hull number 163.{{cite web |date=14 August 2014 |title=Service Marine Industries |url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/small/service.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112122006/http://shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/small/service.htm |archive-date=12 January 2020 |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=Shipbuilding History |publisher=Tim Colton}} The vessel was {{convert|51|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long, with a beam of {{convert|11.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and draft of {{convert|2.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |title=Spirit of Norfolk |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:438322/mmsi:367146190/imo:8861618/vessel:SPIRIT_OF_NORFOLK |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=MarineTraffic.com}} It had three decks and was capable of accommodating over 400 passengers.{{Cite news |last=Messina |first=Debbie |date=2 April 2008 |title=Spirit of Norfolk gets a bow-to-stern overhaul |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/business/article_e78a7b79-3400-5413-a79b-00a937f16a36.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713210529/https://www.pilotonline.com/business/article_e78a7b79-3400-5413-a79b-00a937f16a36.html |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=10 June 2022 |work=The Virginian Pilot}}{{Cite news |date=24 February 2016 |title=Spirit of Norfolk getting $1.2 million upgrade |url=https://www.dailypress.com/business/dp-spirit-of-norfolk-getting-1-2-million-upgrade-20160224-story.html |access-date=10 June 2022 |work=Daily Press}} The Spirit of Norfolk was launched and christened in March 1992 (then called The New Spirit before its christening).{{Cite news |last=Townsend |first=Philip |date=29 March 2022 |title=13News Now Vault: Spirit of Norfolk, then and now |work=13 News Now |url=https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/history/13news-now-vault-spirit-of-norfolk/291-5a180153-a75f-446f-9395-e3b21bd79c32 |access-date=10 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610193630/https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/history/13news-now-vault-spirit-of-norfolk/291-5a180153-a75f-446f-9395-e3b21bd79c32|archive-date=10 June 2022}} It was originally owned by Spirit Cruises LLC, which merged with Premier Yachts Inc. in 2007 to become Entertainment Cruises Inc., based in Chicago, Illinois.{{Cite news |date=6 December 2007 |title=Spirit of Norfolk headquarters moving, but ship to stay here |work=The Virginian Pilot |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/business/article_b0e42c9e-c8e7-5ac5-82be-1660044cb3a7.html |access-date=10 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610193628/https://www.pilotonline.com/business/article_b0e42c9e-c8e7-5ac5-82be-1660044cb3a7.html |archive-date=10 June 2022}}
In 2008, the vessel underwent a $350,000 renovation. It was painted blue and white to resemble the 1978 ship and the interior was updated. That year, the vessel hosted roughly 130,000 passengers. The vessel was renovated a second time in 2016, with a cost of $1.2 million. This renovation focused on the lounge areas, interactivity, and menu overhauls.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Spirit of Norfolk remained at anchor for several months in 2020, and its number of staff was reduced by half. The ship was able to operate again beginning in April 2021, taking on passengers at 50% capacity.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Dana |date=7 April 2021 |title=Spirit of Norfolk back on the water for the summer, after pandemic pause |work=13 News Now |url=https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/spirit-of-norfolk-back-on-the-water-for-the-summer-after-pandemic-pause/291-704d2b0e-417f-43a6-842a-498175de3e79 |access-date=10 June 2022}} By June 2022 it was owned by Hornblower Cruises & Events of San Francisco, which acquired Entertainment Cruises in 2019.{{cite news |last1=DuPont |first1=Dale K. |title=Strong economy equals good year for passenger vessels |url=https://www.workboat.com/passenger-vessels/strong-economy-equals-good-year-for-passenger-vessels |access-date=14 February 2023 |work=WorkBoat |date=4 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118045048/https://www.workboat.com/passenger-vessels/strong-economy-equals-good-year-for-passenger-vessels |archive-date=18 January 2022 |location=Portland, ME}}{{cite news |title=Marine accident round-up : 9th June 2022 |url=https://insurancemarinenews.com/insurance-marine-news/engine-room-checked-every-half-an-hour-captain-of-fire-destroyed-ship-tells-hearing/ |access-date=14 February 2023 |work=Insurance Marine News |publisher=PBGA Publishing |date=9 June 2022 |location=Headcorn, Kent}}
== Fire and loss ==
On 7 June 2022, Spirit of Norfolk was conducting a harbor tour for elementary students off Naval Station Norfolk. A total of 108 people were aboard, 89 of them schoolchildren, when it caught fire in the early afternoon. The fire appeared to start in the engine room, with smoke seen coming from the stern of the ship. The crew moved all passengers to the weather deck and called for help, and the passenger ship Victory Rover pulled alongside Spirit of Norfolk, taking on its passengers.{{Cite news |date=8 June 2022 |title=Fire Burns Through Excursion Boat Spirit of Norfolk |work=Maritime Executive |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/photos-fire-burns-through-excursion-boat-spirit-of-norfolk |access-date=10 June 2022}} Two tugboats from Naval Station Norfolk also responded, pulling Spirit of Norfolk into the station's pier 4. Various agencies began fighting the fire on board the ship, including the Coast Guard, Norfolk Fire and Rescue, and neighboring fire stations.{{Cite news |last=Viviano |first=Meg |date=7 June 2022 |title=Norfolk cruise boat carrying 89 schoolchildren catches fire |work=Chesapeake Bay Magazine |url=https://chesapeakebaymagazine.com/norfolk-cruise-boat-carrying-89-schoolchildren-catches-fire/ |access-date=10 June 2022}} Efforts to contain the fire continued until 9 June, including dewatering operations to remove contaminated water aboard the ship.{{Cite news |last=Sparaco |first=Anne |date=9 June 2022 |title=Here's what's next in the effort to salvage the Spirit of Norfolk |work=13 News Now |url=https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/spirit-salvage-efforts-continue/291-c838515d-61a6-441d-baa8-971c3bb10f5d |access-date=10 June 2022}} On 9 June, the fire was believed to be fully contained, but the vessel was declared a total loss.{{Cite news |last=Reese |first=Brian |date=9 June 2022 |title=Smoldering Spirit of Norfolk being dewatered, considered a loss |work=WAVY |url=https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/smoldering-spirit-of-norfolk-being-dewatered/ |access-date=10 June 2022}}
By 12 June, the dewatering aboard the vessel was completed and it was declared safe to enter. The polluted water was pumped into a barge and no environmental contamination was detected. A salvage team consisting of two tugs and a Coast Guard escort successfully towed Spirit of Norfolk into a shipyard for investigation and salvage.{{Cite news |last=Viviano |first=Meg |date=12 June 2022 |title=Spirit of Norfolk Salvaged After Burning for 4 Days |work=Chesapeake Bay Magazine |url=https://chesapeakebaymagazine.com/spirit-of-norfolk-salvaged-after-burning-for-4-days/ |access-date=18 June 2022}}
== Aftermath and public hearing ==
On January 26, 2023, the United States Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board began a joint public hearing into the fire and loss of the vessel. During these hearings, no exact cause of the fire was found, however it is believed that the origin of the fire was a leaky turbocharger, which ignited cardboard boxes placed directly below the engine it was installed in. During the hearing, 23 witnesses testified and 103 exhibits were created for public viewing.{{cite press release |author= |title=Coast Guard concludes public hearing into fire, total constructive loss of the passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3286614/coast-guard-concludes-public-hearing-into-fire-total-constructive-loss-of-the-p/ |publisher=United States Coast Guard News |date=2 February 2023 |access-date=2023-02-09}} The hearing also revealed that the vessel did not have a fire detection system or a fire suppression system.
The joint public hearings concluded on February 2, 2023,{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Brett |title=Spirit of Norfolk could be sunk for a reef, owner says |url=https://www.wavy.com/news/spirit-of-norfolk-could-be-sunk-for-a-reef-owner-says/ |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=Wavy News 10 |date=6 February 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Dana |title='Why didn't Spirit of Norfolk have a fire suppression system?' Coast Guard investigator asks during hearings on engine fire onboard the yacht |url=https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/spirit-of-norfolk-fire-investigation/291-d27a4095-1e4e-4d94-8f8a-32be7126902c |access-date=9 February 2023 |work=13 News Now |date=30 January 2023}} and a report was issued on September 29, 2023. The NTSB recommended that the Coast Guard require the retrofit of fire detection and suppression systems in older vessels and that contingency plans be improved.https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2322.pdf
The wreckage was sold for $740,000 to become a part of an artificial reef off the coast of the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin metropolitan area, Florida.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-13 |title=Spirit of Norfolk vessel remains to get new life as artificial reef in Florida |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241013123127/https://www.wtkr.com/news/in-the-community/norfolk/spirit-of-norfolk-vessel-remains-to-get-new-life-as-artificial-reef-in-florida |url-status=live |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=WTKR}}
= ''Spirit of Mount Vernon'' - ''The Spirit'' - ''Spirit of Norfolk'' (from 2022) =
On August 12, 2022, the sister ship Spirit of Mount Vernon took over tour operations after an extensive renovation.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-16 |title=Spirit of Norfolk Replaced with New Boat after Catastrophic Fire {{!}} Chesapeake Bay Magazine |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916124104/https://www.chesapeakebaymagazine.com/spirit-of-norfolk-replaced-with-new-boat-after-catastrophic-fire/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Chesapeake Bay Magazine}} After being drydocked from January 2024 to February 2024, it was renamed The Spirit for the tour's 45th season.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title='Spirit of Norfolk' lives on as 'The Spirit' relaunches: Take a trip |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111051142/https://www.wtkr.com/news/spirit-of-norfolk-lives-on-as-the-spirit-relaunches-heres-when-you-can-take-a-trip |url-status=live |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=WTKR}} Later in October it was renamed once again to The Spirit of Norfolk, being rechristened on April 30, 2025 and making it the third iteration of Spirit of Norfolk.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-04 |title=City Cruises renames its new vessel 'Spirit of Norfolk,' after destructive fire |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304091635/https://www.wtkr.com/news/in-the-community/norfolk/city-cruises-norfolk-renames-its-vessel-spirit-of-norfolk |url-status=live |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=WTKR}}{{Cite web |last=Lance |first=David |date=April 30, 2025 |title=Spirit of Norfolk returns to Hampton Roads after 2022 fire |url=https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/spirit-of-norfolk-returns-to-hampton-roads-after-2022-fire/ |url-status=live |website=WAVY}}
This Spirit of Norfolk measures 867 GT and was built in 1990, also by Service Marine Industries in Amelia, Louisiana, as hull number 158. The vessel was 46.51 m (152 ft 7 in) long, with a beam of 10.06 m (33 ft 0 in) and draft of 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in).{{Cite web |title=Spirit of Norfolk |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:434720/mmsi:367022930/imo:8992998/vessel:SPIRIT_OF_NORFOLK |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=MarineTraffic.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{2022 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spirit of Norfolk}}
Category:2022 fires in the United States
Category:Passenger ships of the United States