WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed Congressman Rob Menendez’s (NJ-08) H.R. 7702 out of Committee as part of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. Congressman Menendez introduced this bill in response to the tragic vessel fire that occurred in Newark in July 2023, which claimed the lives of two Newark firefighters, Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr. The bill calls for a study on vessel fires within three nautical miles of the shoreline to reduce vessel and waterfront facility risk to local communities.
“Local fire departments are tasked with the difficult job of responding to complicated vessel fires without adequate resources or guidance,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “For New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District, this legislation is not just about addressing a single tragic event, but about safeguarding the lives of our firefighters and protecting our port communities. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to improve safety standards and prevent future vessel fires.”
In 2022 alone, there were 209 reported fire incidents involving large container ships and other vessels – the highest number in a decade and the most expensive cause of loss in marine industry insurance claims.
H.R. 7702 directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a comprehensive report to Congress providing insights into the causes, impacts, and responses to vessel fires, as well as provide recommendations for enhanced safety measures. The bill was included in the Committee-passed Coast Guard reauthorization legislation, which is expected to move to the House floor in the coming weeks.
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