- A fire incident on a Norwegian vessel highlighted safety design flaws which exposed crew members to smoke and caused operational mishaps.
- Companies should reassess the location of safety equipment, label controls clearly, and enhance crew training to prevent similar occurrences.
- The incident underscores the importance of adherence to maritime safety legislation, including hazard identification and risk mitigation measures.
What Happened?
A fire incident on a Norwegian vessel exposed significant safety design flaws. Quick-closing valves for the emergency generator were mistakenly placed with those controlling auxiliary machinery, leading to an unintended shutdown of the generator.
Additionally, fire damper handles were located in a smoke-filled area, exposing crew members to hazardous conditions.
Why Did It Happen?
The incident occurred due to poor placement of safety equipment, lack of clear labeling, and inadequate safety design considerations.
These oversights created confusion during the emergency and increased risks for the crew.
Precautions to Prevent Future Incidents
- Separate the quick-closing valve controls for the emergency generator from other machinery.
- Relocate fire damper handles to easily accessible and safe areas, away from potential smoke exposure.
- Clearly label all safety equipment for easy identification during emergencies.
Recommendations
- Conduct regular inspections and drills to ensure crew familiarity with equipment locations and operations.
- Align alarm instructions with on-board drill procedures.
- Assess and address potential risks in existing vessels by following relevant maritime safety regulations.
- Ship designers should prioritize safety in the placement of emergency controls.
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Source: Norwegian Maritime Authority
