The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (UK MAIB) issued an accident report, regarding a fire onboard the fishing vessel “Ardent II”, while alongside in Port Henry Basin, Peterhead, in August 2016. The investigation provides information on the causes and contributory factors of the incident, in order to prevent similar casualties in the future.
The incident
At approximately 0500 on 16 August 2016, a fire started in the crew mess room of the fishing vessel Ardent II, while alongside in Peterhead. The three crew sleeping on board escaped without injury, but the vessel was extensively damaged and later declared a constructive total loss.
The MAIB investigation identified that:
- An electrical fault or failure of a multi-socket adapter in the crew mess was the most likely cause of the fire
- There was no smoke detector fitted in the crew mess room and it was fortunate that one of the crew awoke and discovered the fire at an early
stage. This alerted the crew to the fire and enabled them to evacuate the vessel without delay. - The fact the quay offered the crew a safe haven is likely to have influenced their decision to evacuate the vessel immediately, rather than to attempt to contain and extinguish the fire.
Safety Issues
- Unless electrical equipment is regularly visually inspected for bare wires, that appropriate fuses are in place, and for signs of burning, together with regular Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), the risk of an electrical fire occurring is increased.
- Without a comprehensive fire detection and alarm system that covers all spaces that pose a risk, fishing vessel crew, particularly those sleeping on board, cannot be confident of being alerted early enough to be able to take effective action.
Conclusions Further details may be found in the following report:
