Coast Guard Patrol Boat Catches Fire in Gulfport, Mississippi

The 87-foot Brant is part of the Marine Protector class of coastal patrol boats built by Bollinger Shipyards. Marine Protector file photo: Bollinger Shipyards

The Gulfport Fire Department helped the U.S. Coast Guard put out a fire aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Brant while moored in Gulfport, Mississippi on Wednesday.

The Coast Guard reported earlier that at approximately 5 a.m., two Coast Guard members who were aboard the cutter noticed the fire in the port-aft area of the vessel and took initial actions to put out the fire using a fire extinguisher.

Members from Gulfport Fire Department arrived on scene at 5:05 a.m. and extinguished the fire.

A photo of the cutter shows serious fire damage to the port side superstructure.

The two Coast Guard members on board the vessel were evaluated by emergency medical services and have been released.

“We are thankful no one was hurt in the fire,” said Cmdr. Zachary Ford, the head of the response department at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans. “Without the quick response and actions taken by the Gulfport Fire Department, this incident could have been much worse.”

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The 87-foot Brant is part of the Marine Protector class of coastal patrol boats.