Safety standards may not be stringent enough in the cruise industry , the chairman of a federal agency investigating the March engine - room fire aboard the Scandinavian Star said Wednesday . A crew member discovered the March 15 fire aboard the Star , carrying 439 mostly American passengers , as the ship returned form Cozumel , Mexico to Tampa . Smoke detectors and automatic systems to fight the fire failed . But the fire was contained to the engine room. Also , the ship 's diesel generators did n't work for an hour . The Safety board will determine whether existing Coast Guard procedures and international regulations are adequate to protect passengers or whether more rigorous standards are needed .
Safety standards may not be stringent enough in the cruise industry , the chairman of a federal agency investigating the March engine - room fire aboard the Scandinavian Star said Wednesday . A crew member discovered the March 15 fire aboard the Star , carrying 439 mostly American passengers , as the ship returned form Cozumel , Mexico to Tampa . Smoke detectors and automatic systems to fight the fire failed . Also , the ship 's diesel generators did n't work for an hour . The Safety board will determine whether existing Coast Guard procedures and international regulations are adequate to protect passengers or whether more rigorous standards are needed .