MAIB Accident Report No 20/2013
Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published Accident Report No 20/2013 regarding Engine room fire on board FV Amy Harris III.
On 16 January 2013, theskipper of Amy Harris III discovered afire in the engine room. The crew’s initialattack on the fire was unsuccessful.Doors and a hatch that were left openallowed smoke to rapidly spread forcingthe skipper and his three crewmen ontothe deck. No further attempts weremade to suppress or control the fire,and the crew were airlifted off the vesselby rescue helicopter soon afterwards.The vessel was subsequently towedinto Campbeltown where the fire wasextinguished. Amy Harris III was laterdeclared a constructive total loss.
The most likely cause of the fire wasthe ignition of diesel fuel oil, which hadleaked from a flexible pipe supplying theauxiliary engine’s fuel lift pump.
The owner has been recommended to:properly support pipework to preventfatigue failure; ensure crews arefully conversant with the emergencyequipment and conduct monthlyemergency drills; properly maintainemergency equipment; conduct riskassessments and improve housekeepingstandards.
Recommendations have also beenmade to the skipper to attend arefresher fire-fighting course, and tothe Sea Fish Industry Authority to teststudents’ knowledge of fixed fire-fightingsystems in its Basic Fire Fighting Courseassessment.
Amy Harris III
(Photo courtesy of Trawler Pictures)
Auxiliary engine braided flexible fuel pipe
(Image Credit: MAIB)
Conclusions
The fire was probably caused by diesel fuel oilleaking from the flexible fuel supply pipe to theauxiliary engine, which was ignited by electricalarcing deposits.
The auxiliary engine fuel supply pipework wasunsupported, which led to chafing, increasingthe risk of diesel fuel oil leakage and fire.
Electrical cabling was secured against sharpedges, increasing the risk of insulation damageand electrical arcing.
The crew’s knowledge of fire-fighting techniques,smoke containment and system isolations wasweak and contributed to the spread of the fire.No consideration was given to the use of theengine room fixed CO2fire-extinguishing system.
The crew had not carried out any drills to helpthem prepare for the emergency.
The salvage pump was defective. It was notsubjected to regular operation or maintenance,two crewmen were unaware of its location, andthe position of the petrol canister increased thefire risk.
The mate’s action in re-entering the smokefilled wheelhouse severely compromised hissafety and led to the fire escalating as he left theexternal galley door open.
There were significant shortcomings in themanagement of Amy Harris III, including: theabsence of risk assessments and annual selfcertification declarations; poor housekeepingstandards; and an accumulation of redundantequipment all leading to increased risk.
The Sea Fish Industry Authority’s Basic FireFighting Course assessment does not includefixed fire-fighting systems.
Recommendations
The owner of Amy Harris III, Galbraith TrawlersLimited, is recommended to:
Improve the safety of its fishing vesselsby taking measures to ensure that:
Fuel supply and other high-riskpipework is properly supported toprevent chafing and fatigue.
As far as practicable, electrical cablinginsulation is protected against abrasionfrom sharp surfaces.
Monthly emergency drills are carriedout and recorded.
Salvage pumps are regularly testedand maintained for immediate use, andassociated petrol canisters are stowedin accordance with Section 5.1.8.8.4 ofThe Code of Safe Working Practice forthe Construction and Use of 15 MetreLength Overall to Less Than 24 MetreRegistered Length Fishing Vessels.
Risk assessments are undertaken andcontrol measures applied.
The standard of housekeeping isimproved to reduce the risk of fire andpersonal injury.
The MCA’s publication – Fishermen’sSafety Guide – is brought to theattention of skippers and crew.
The skipper of Amy Harris III is recommendedto:
Attend a fire-fighting course toupdate his knowledge of firefightingtechniques and equipment.
Sea Fish Industry Authority is recommended to:
Test students’ knowledge of fixed firefighting systems in the assessmentexamination of its Basic Fire Fighting Course.
Read more information in the MAIB accident report No 20/2013