UK MAIB has issued Marine Investigation Report regarding a fire incident that occurred in the engine room on the suction dredger Arco Avon.
The incident
At 2312 on 18 August 2015, a fire broke out in the engine room of the dredger Arco Avon while the vessel was loading a sand cargo approximately 12 miles off Great Yarmouth, UK. Arco Avon’s third engineer, Anthony Jones, was badly burned in the fire and later died as a result of his injuries. As a consequence of the fire, which was extinguished following activation of the CO2 smothering system, the vessel lost all power and remained at anchor with its dredging equipment partially deployed for 9 days until it could be taken under tow and delivered to a repair facility.
Investigation findings
- The third engineer was attempting to repair a failed fuel pipe when fuel, under pressure in the pipe, ignited.
- No one else on board was aware of a failed fuel pipe or that the third engineer had apparently decided to repair it.
- The third engineer was using a portable angle grinder to access the repair site, and had underestimated the risk of doing so.
- Possible contributing factors to the third engineer’s underestimation of risk were that he had neither carried out a formal risk assessment nor sought a permit to work prior to commencing the repair.
Actions Taken
- The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers to address the hot work hazard of sparks generated by the use of fixed and portable angle grinders.
- Merchant Shipping Notice 1870 (M+F) to introduce an appropriate standard for overalls for work in engine rooms or other area where there is a risk of fire.
- The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide to provide clear guidance on the appropriate medical treatment for serious burns.
Recommendations
- The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been recommended to more widely promulgate the contents of IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1321 i.e. that owners and operators conduct periodic inspections of low pressure fuel system components.
- Bureau Veritas has been recommended to advise its surveyors of the contents of the circular.
- Hanson Aggregates Marine Limited has been recommended to review and, as appropriate, amend its safety management system to ensure, inter alia, that manning levels, watchkeeping duties and communication procedures provide for safe engine room operations at all times.
Find out more about the incident by reading the investigation report below
Source & Image credit: UK MAIB