M.S.
Notice 04 of 2003
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NO: 9-Eng(NT)(19)/2002 |
Dated:Feb 19, 2003 |
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Sub: Fire Incident |
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During the dry-docking of an Indian flag vessels in one of the foreign dry-dock a severe fire incident took place in the accommodation space of the vessel. The weather was extremely cold (temperature varied between 4ºc to 15ºc ) and the ship's staffs were provided with electric room heaters with safety cut outs and electric kettle without any control. The circumstances which caused the fire are as indicated below. Smoke was noticed emanating from an officer's cabin. The Master of the vessel was not on board and the company had transferred the chief officer of the vessel soon after the vessel dry-docked, without a replacement. Immediate decision and attempt to extinguish the fire could not be initiated due to absence of any responsible officer and non-availability of charged fire hoses in the accommodation deck. Yard fire fighting team reached after half an hour and could not fight the fire, as no pressurized fire hoses with proper attachment was available to reach the fire-affected cabin. The yard fire tenders were called and the fire was brought under control after one and half hour. On enquiry it was concluded that fire initiated from an electric kettle (kept in cabin floor carpet), which was switched on for heating water and left unattended. The electric kettle was without thermostatic control. As a result of the fire the officer's cabin was damaged extensively. The adjacent cabin and above were also damaged to some extent. Lessons to be learned. 1) Electrical appliances without thermostatic control are not to be used in the ship's accommodation. 2) Safe manning requirement to be strictly complied during the service life of the vessel. The service life of the vessel includes dry-docking and lay up period. 3) During the ship's entire dry-docking period it must be ensured that the "fire patrol" provided by the yard is adequate and the fire line is always charged with the required pressure and sufficient number of charged fire hoses compatible with whip's fire hydrants are available for use in accommodation, engine room and on deck at all time.
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