Transport Malta has issued a safety investigation report into the engine-room fire onboard the Maltese registered supply vessel GSP PERSEU at GSP Shipyards, Agigea, Contanta, Romania on September 29, 2014.
Incident:
A fire broke out in the engine-room of the supply vessel, that was under repairs at GSP Shipyards, in Romania. The safety investigation concluded that the fire was a result of possible hot works (steel cuttings) being carried out by shipyard’s workers in way of bilge tank located near the engine room compartments during the night shift. The engine-room watchman noticed the fire who initially tried to put out the fire on his own, using a portable CO2 fire extinguisher. Failing in his attempt to control the fire, he raised alarms. The Chief Engineer rushed into the engine room, but it was filled with dense of smoke.
The local fire brigade arrived at the scene requesting the chief engineer to ventilate the engine room. After a number of attempts that resulted in failure to bring the fire into control, Fire brigade gave up eventually resulting in release of the Fixed Co2 into fire encroached Engine room space.
Cause of fire:
The fire started at a sharp double loop on the plastic flexible ventilation ducting which was used for the LEV system.
The double bend created airflow resistance of hot air and hot work particles, eventually leading to the flexible ventilation ducting material catching fire.
Damages observed:
A damage survey was carried out by the BV Surveyor who identified the following damages:
- Electrical cables under the main deck affected by the fire and required replacement
- Electrical junction boxes affected by the fire and required replacement
- One electrical panel and monitoring devices affected by the fire and required renewal
- Light fittings affected by the fire and required replacement
- Forward seal on the port side tailshaft required replacement
- Smoke damage in various areas of the engine-room
Lesson learnt:
- The flexible ventilation ducting must be made of a fire-retardant material.
- There should be no obstruction to the flow of exhaust air.
- The overall length of the flexible ventilation ducting must be less to have higher efficiency for the extraction of exhaust air.
- The shore workers must not do the work in the space without the crew members awareness.
- Installation of the exhaust fan within MP Compartment is advisable.
- Do not deactivate the fire detection system continuously for long time.
- A hot work permit must cover the space where steel work was being carried.
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Source: Transport Malta
