During a ship dry dock smoke was noted. After investigation, it was noted that the smoke was coming from a forepeak store. The smoke came after yard personnel accidentally activated hand flares, IMCA informed.
The incident
During a vessel dry dock, smoke was coming from a forepeak store, which was also accessible from the mess room. Expired hand flare pyrotechnics, boxed and packed up for landing ashore, had been accidentally activated by yard personnel onboard for cleaning and chipping the chain locker.
The alarm was raised and the necessary measures were taken for the safety of the crew and yard personnel.
Probable cause
A IMCA informed, the appropriate procedures were not followed, something that contributed greatly to the incident. More specifically:
- The third-party contractor personnel had been briefed regarding the company’s safety management system (SMS) but this incident still took place;
- Where third-party personnel are working, the area should be thoroughly checked for any unsafe practices that can take place.
Lessons learned
Since the forepeak store was also a provision store with access from the mess room, the risk of theft or pilferage could not be neglected.
In addition, the expired pyrotechnics were sent back to the approved vendor.
