Cruise ship fire off Singapore: crew member dies on MV World Legacy

A fatal cruise ship fire off Singapore claimed the life of one crew member on February 20. The blaze broke out aboard the Liberia-flagged MV World Legacy while the vessel was en route to Singapore, triggering a large-scale emergency response, full passenger evacuation and a multi-agency safety operation in the Singapore Strait, according to The Maritime Telegraph.

 

The fire started around 04:00 local time on deck nine, reportedly in a lounge area. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Marine Division responded swiftly and contained the blaze soon after arrival.

 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) confirmed the death of an Indonesian crew member. Paramedics treated several passengers on site, and four were sent to hospital for further medical checks. Authorities reported no additional injuries.

 

Evacuation and maritime safety measures

 

At the time of the incident, 388 crew members and 271 passengers were on board, including 139 Singapore nationals. Authorities began evacuation procedures immediately. An initial group of 190 passengers disembarked at HarbourFront Ferry Terminal. Officials later evacuated all remaining passengers safely.

 

After stabilising the situation, the vessel proceeded to Raffles Reserved Anchorage between Pulau Senang and Pulau Semakau. MPA patrol craft, the Police Coast Guard and marine firefighting teams secured the area. Authorities established a safety perimeter and issued navigational advisories to nearby ships to prevent disruption in one of Asia’s busiest sea lanes.

 

A core technical crew remains on board to maintain essential systems and assist investigators. The remaining crew members will disembark in stages.

 

Vessel background and operational impact

 

The 154.48-metre MV World Legacy, built in 1982, entered service under its current branding in mid-December last year. Marketed as a “playground at sea,” the cruise ship operates in the Singapore Strait, connecting Singapore and Malaysia by fast ferry links.

 

Before rebranding, the vessel sailed in Europe as the Italian ferry Moby Zaza. It underwent a significant refit in Singapore before starting its new deployment.

 

The ship is technically managed by Venture Ship Management Europe, based in Genoa. Classification society surveyors engaged by the owners will assess structural and fire-related damage and determine the repair scope before the vessel can resume operations.

 

Picture: The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore