Whittier’s newly built cruise ship terminal burned to a total loss last week, but city officials and event organizers say they managed to rescue plans for the USS Ted Stevens’ commissioning ceremony in a matter of hours. The Navy destroyer’s commissioning, originally slated for the Glacier Gateway Terminal, will now proceed as scheduled Oct. 3 at Whittier’s older Princess Cruises terminal instead.

The blaze ignited at the Huna Totem-operated facility, which had opened just a year prior, and continued burning for more than 13 hours before crews got it under control. Firefighters from Whittier were quickly joined by mutual-aid crews from Anchorage, Girdwood and several Kenai Peninsula departments, hampered in part by nonfunctioning hydrants at the new terminal. No one was hurt, though a vacant catamaran operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours sustained damage in the fire.

With the Navy vessel just a few days out, USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee President Cherie Curry said her team pivoted to a backup plan almost immediately after learning of the fire. She pointed to an unusual moment of cooperation among rival cruise operators — Princess and Holland America among them — who set aside competitive concerns to help relocate the ceremony on short notice.

Organizers still intend to hold the post-commissioning reception at the fire-damaged Glacier Gateway site, even as investigators continue working to determine what sparked the blaze.