NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
July 6, 2000

THREE ITEMS ON NTSB'S JULY 11 BOARD MEETING: FIRE ALARMS ON CRUISE SHIPS, FATAL PIPELINE ACCIDENT IN MINNESOTA, AND DERAILMENT IN KANSAS

The National Transportation Safety Board holds a public Board meeting Tuesday, July 11, at 9:30 a.m., at its new Board room, 426 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. There are three items on the agenda:

1. Proposed recommendations to the cruise line industry on the need for local-sounding smoke alarms in crew and passenger accommodation areas. Based on several cruise ship fire investigations, including Vistafjord in 1997 and Nieuw Amsterdam in 2000. NTSB Press Officer: Ted Lopatkiewicz
2. Final report on December 11, 1998, pipeline explosion in St. Cloud, Minnesota. While installing a utility pole support anchor, a construction crew struck a natural gas pipeline causing a leak. About 40 minutes later an explosion occurred. As a result of the explosion, 4 persons were fatally injured, 1 person was seriously injured, and 10 persons received minor injuries. Six buildings were destroyed. NTSB Press Officer: Keith Holloway
3. Final report on the September 2, 1998, derailment of a Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company intermodal freight train at Crisfield, Kansas. Some intermodal shipping containers were breached, resulting in the release of hazardous materials and fires. About 200 people were evacuated within a 5-mile radius. There were no injuries. Estimated damage was $1.3 million. NTSB Press Officer: Phil Frame

Directions to Board Room:

Front door located on Lower 10th Street, directly below L'Enfant Plaza. From Metro, exit L'Enfant Plaza station at 9th and D Streets escalator, walk through shopping mall, at CVS store take escalator down one level. Board room will be to your left.