Maritime Accident Report — September 16, 2026
This daily report covers notable maritime incidents and offshore casualties from publicly available sources. These summaries are provided for informational awareness and do not constitute legal advice.
Coast Guard Opens Marine Casualty Investigation After Fire at Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal, Alaska
A fire broke out at approximately 11 a.m. Monday, September 14, at the north cruise ship terminal in Whittier, Alaska, prompting a response from Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic and a response boat crew from Station Valdez. The tour boat Klondike Express was moored at the pier with no passengers aboard when the fire began; the vessel sustained fire damage and was moved away from the pier to keep the fire from spreading. The cruise ship Norwegian Jade, also moored at the terminal, departed safely without damage.
Firefighting operations continued until roughly 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, when local authorities confirmed the fire was extinguished, and a 500-yard safety zone was subsequently lifted. No injuries were reported. Damage to pier fenders produced a small sheen that has since dissipated, and the Coast Guard is conducting pollution assessments alongside a marine casualty investigation while state and local authorities investigate the cause.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard News
Coast Guard and Partner Agencies Search for Missing Paddleboarder Four Miles Off Jupiter Beach, Florida
Coast Guard and partner agency crews are searching for 48-year-old Matt Pawlowski, a paddleboarder last seen Monday, September 14, approximately four miles east of Jupiter Beach, Florida. He was reportedly wearing a white hat, orange shirt, and gray shorts, and was using a lime-green and yellow paddleboard.
Search assets include Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Air Station Clearwater, Station Lake Worth Inlet, Station Fort Pierce, the Coast Guard Cutter William Flores, and multiple local law enforcement agencies. The Coast Guard has asked anyone with information about the case to contact the Sector Miami command center at 305-535-4372.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard News
Three Shipping Containers Fall Into the Water During Cargo Operations at Port of Los Angeles Berth 302
Three shipping containers fell into the water during container ship cargo operations near Berth 302 at the Port of Los Angeles on Monday, September 14. One container was recovered shortly after the incident, while the other two sank and were marked for later recovery, prompting the Coast Guard to establish a 400-yard safety zone around the area. According to the ship's manifest, the contents of all three containers were listed as non-hazardous.
Commercial salvage divers worked overnight, attaching flotation bags to refloat the submerged containers. The first was towed to a designated holding area at approximately 10 p.m. Monday and the second was recovered at approximately 8 a.m. Tuesday, after which the Coast Guard lifted the safety zone and deemed the waterway safe for vessel traffic. The response was coordinated with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Los Angeles Port Police, and commercial salvage personnel. No injuries were reported.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard News
If you or a loved one has been affected by a maritime accident, consulting a qualified maritime attorney can help you understand your legal rights under the Jones Act, general maritime law, or the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
