Firefighters Conclude Twelve Hour Battle Against Blaze Aboard the GNV Phoenix: The Former Athara's Fate in the Balance

On May 27, a fire broke out aboard the Athara, now operating as the GNV Phoenix, while docked at the Port of Naples for maintenance. The alarm was raised at around 6:50 PM, leading to a swift response from the Port Authority and emergency services as intense flames erupted from the lower decks, potentially originating within the engine room. Firefighting operations began immediately. Throughout the night of May 27 and into the early hours of May 28, several firefighting teams, including tugs and a Coast Guard patrol boat, worked tirelessly to combat the blaze. Despite the challenges posed by high temperatures and thick, acrid smoke that filled the surrounding areas of Naples—from San Giovanni to Vomero—the efforts to extinguish the fire were ultimately successful by the morning of May 28. Fortunately, all 85 individuals onboard—composed of crew and external contractors—evacuated safely without any injuries reported. As smoke drifted across the city, causing some concern among local residents, the Naples health authority issued precautionary shelter-in-place guidelines. Residents near the Molo del Carmine Pier were advised to keep all doors and windows closed while air quality remained under scrutiny. The regional environmental agency, ARPAC, had installed monitoring systems for dioxins and other pollutants, which reported no abnormal levels linked to the incident. Following the extinguishing of the fire, decontamination operations commenced, signaling a shift towards recovery. The Port of Naples remained largely operational during the event, though access to the areas directly adjoining the burn site was heavily restricted to facilitate emergency and extinguishing efforts. Meanwhile, discussions involving local government officials and emergency services were initiated to assess the damage and operational impact of the fire on the vessel, previously known as Athara and set to be renamed “AF Phoenix” for its upcoming service under Adria Ferries. As the maritime community and local authorities continue to monitor air quality and assess the scene, the full ramifications of this incident on the operational capabilities of the GNV Phoenix and future maritime traffic in Naples remain to be seen.