MV Roger Blough Overview and Build Information

The MV Roger Blough is a freighter ship that's been making waves in the shipping industry. It was built in 2010.

The ship measures 1,000 feet in length, making it a behemoth on the high seas. Its massive size allows it to carry a substantial cargo load.

The Roger Blough was built at the American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio, showcasing the expertise of American shipbuilders.

The Roger Blough had a bit of a rocky start, quite literally. On June 24, 1971, the ship suffered a major engine room fire that killed four people and caused significant damage.

The ship's launch was originally planned for July 1971, but the fire delayed sea trials and delivery by a year.

The Roger Blough played a role in a maritime search and rescue operation in 1975. On November 11, 1975, the crew recovered a 25-person life raft from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

The ship's most recent major incident occurred in 2016, when it ran aground on Gros Cap Reef in Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior. Some minor flooding was reported.

The United States Coast Guard vessel USCGC Mobile Bay was on station monitoring the situation and enforcing a 500-yard safety zone around the vessel.

The MV Roger Blough has had its fair share of challenges, particularly with fires. On February 1, 2021, the vessel was engulfed in flames from an engine fire while docked at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

The fire was likely caused by the repeated removal and reinstallation of the furnace's burner, which led to the failure of its mounting coupling, resulting in the operating burner dropping to the bottom of its enclosure and fracturing its fuel supply line, allowing diesel fuel to ignite.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the ship was empty and in winter layup when the fire started. The National Transportation Safety Board's incident report highlighted the absence of a fire-activated automatic fuel oil shutoff valve on the fuel oil inlet piping before the burner, which would have stopped the fuel feeding the fire shortly after it started and limited the spread of the fire.

The fire caused extensive damage to the ship, estimated to be over $100 million. The ship's future is unclear, but there are indications that it may be salvageable, with visible repair efforts to the vessel's aft section and available funds for repair work.

The fire also led to new recommendations for safe layup for ships on the Great Lakes, based on findings from the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board recommended that the U.S. Coast Guard and ABS should develop standards for furnace installations in line with the National Fire Protection Association guidelines.

Here are some key facts about the fire incident:

The MV Roger Blough was built in 1972 by the American Shipbuilding Co. in Lorain, Ohio.

The ship was constructed from a hull number 900, and its registry is U.S. 533062.

The bow section of the ship was laid down on June 3, 1968, while the stern section was laid down on December 29, 1969.

The M/V Roger Blough left Sturgeon Bay on Thursday morning after spending more than a year in lay-up.

It was a long time coming, given the significant damage from a blaze that caused more than $100 million in damage.

The vessel was finally ready to set sail with the assistance of tug boats.

The NTSB incident report highlighted the probable cause of the engine room fire as the repeated removal and reinstallation of the furnace's burner that led to the failure in its mounting coupling.

The Roger Blough has quite the history, including a fire that occurred before its maiden voyage in 1971.

The Roger Blough was built in 1972 by the American Shipbuilding Co. in Lorain, Ohio.

The ship's hull number is 900, and it was registered as U.S. 533062.

The Blough's construction took place over three years, with the keel laid for the bow section on September 3, 1968.

The bow section was launched on December 21, 1968, and the keel for the stern section was laid on December 29, 1969.

The ship was finally launched on June 3, 1972, and commissioned on June 15, 1972.

The Blough has a vessel type of Incline-Belt Self-Unloader, and its length between perpendiculars is 833 feet.

The modifications made to this ship have improved its functionality and safety.

Tunnels were added to the stern section to enhance water flow to the propeller. This modification has likely improved the ship's maneuverability and efficiency.

Modern lifeboats were installed in 2012, replacing the old davits. This upgrade ensures the ship can provide a safe evacuation route in case of an emergency.

The addition of tunnels and modern lifeboats are just a couple of the changes made to this ship, making it a more reliable and secure vessel.