La Estrella Amazonica to Resume Operations After Fire

April 18, 2016By: Newswire

Photo by Freeimages.com/Thomas van den Berk

International Expeditions has confirmed that the vessel La Estrella Amazonica has been cleared to resume operations following an April 10 fire that affected a single cabin and led to the fatalities of the two guests in that cabin.

The fire has been thoroughly investigated by the local authorities, International Expeditions said, including the Chief of Fire Department – Loreto Region, a Chief of Fire Prevention and Investigation Unit, a Chief of Instruction and Investigation, the commanding Deputy District Attorney, the Tourism Police Force, and Port Authorities, including a Navy Captain/marine surveyor of maritime accidents and the Harbor Master/Captain of the Port of Iquitos, all of which have cleared the vessel safe to carry guests. The boat owners also commissioned third party specialists, who have completed additional inspections of the fire and electrical systems to additionally verify the safety onboard the vessel. International Expeditions said that it is awaiting the issuance of official reports as to the exact cause of the fire.

The guests from La Estrella Amazonica elected to continue with the journey and departed on Wednesday, April 13, accompanied by International Expeditions President Van Perry, who has been in Peru since April 11, providing support to the guests and crew and overseeing the vessel inspection.

“The external and internal investigations into the accident are still ongoing, and International Expeditions will work with the authorities and the vessel owners to maintain a commitment to safety now and in the future,” Perry said. “We continue to support our guests here in Peru, and the families of the deceased remain in our thoughts.”

Travel agents with questions should reach out to: Rhonda Doss, sales manager at [email protected] (205) 565-2115.