The Costa cruise ship ALLEGRA suffered a fire causing the vessel to lose propulsion off the coast of Seychelles in the Indian Sea Monday, February 27, 2012. The fire was reported to have started in the ship’s engine room and is now extinguished. No causalities among the 636 passenger and 413 are reported.

The ALLEGRA departed Madagascar on Saturday, February 25, 2012 and was cruising toward the port of Victoria, Seychelles’ capital, when the fire broke out. Tugs from Seychelles were dispatched to the ALLEGRA and are expected to reach the ailing cruise ship Tuesday afternoon.

Unlike the modern ocean liners of the major lines which are designed and built to be used as cruise ships, the ALLEGRA, launched in 1969, was originally cargo container vessel. The ship, originally named ANNIE JOHNSON, served as a cargo vessel until 1986 when it was sold to Regency Cruises with the intention to be refitted as a cruise ship. This did not occur and was again placed into service as a cargo ship until 1990 when sold to Costa. The ship was then finally retrofitted, renamed ALLEGRA and put to use as a cruise ship in 1992.