resemblance to a fire in which five crew members died aboard a cruise ship maintained by Bermuda-based company New Commodore Cruise Lines.

The Panamanian-registered passenger ship Universe Explorer was sailing to Glacier Bay, Alaska on July 27, 1996 when a fire broke out in the main laundry.

Crew members trapped inside their quarters died from smoke inhalation as the fire travelled upwards.

But yesterday, a safety officer on board the Song of America said every precaution was taken to protect passengers in the event of a fire on board a ship.

Fire broke out on Monday on board the Ecstasy as she was sailing out of Miami.

All crew and passengers were evacuated safely.

On Monday, Carnival Cruise Lines president Bob Dickinson told the Associated Press the Ecstasy's blaze may also have started in the ship's laundry, although safety inspectors yesterday discounted the theory.

But, like the Universe Explorer , many passengers aboard the Ecstasy claimed they reported smoke sightings long before officials raised the alarm.

"The Universe Explorer crew did not adequately address passenger concerns about the fire and the seriousness of the situation while they were assembled at their muster stations,'' the report stated.

A similar accident report for the Ecstasy has yet to be released.

However the safety officer aboard the Song of America told The Royal Gazette ship crews took every possible precaution to ensure passenger safety.

"On every cruise, before we leave New York, we have a drill for the passengers,'' he said. "We sound the alarm, then the passengers leave their cabins and take their life jackets.'' All of the passengers assemble at assigned stations and are shown how to wear the jackets, he explained.

And extra vests are provided to any passengers who were unable to reach their cabin.

Stewards then check all of the ship's cabins, and collect any life jackets which have not been retrieved.

The safety officer also dismissed fears that crew members unable to speak English would impede the evacuation process.

"We do have some people that don't speak English very well,'' he said. "But they are not allowed to be in posted in public areas.'' FIRE FIR