The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a call for improved preparedness of land-based firefighters in marine vessel firefighting, following a deadly incident aboard a roll-on/roll-off container ship at Port Newark, New Jersey, on July 5, 2023.
The fire, ignited by a shoreside vehicle used to load cars onto the vessel, resulted in the deaths of two firefighters and injuries to six others. The ship sustained damages exceeding $23 million.
Key Findings and Safety Concerns
The NTSB investigation revealed that the fire originated from a 2008 Jeep Wrangler, repurposed as a pusher vehicle, which overheated and ignited due to transmission fluid boiling over onto a hot engine surface. The use of this passenger vehicle as industrial equipment contravened Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
Further compounding the situation, the ship’s crew was unable to effectively deploy the vessel’s carbon dioxide (CO₂) fire suppression system. The control panel to close a large rampway door was located within the CO₂ release zone, preventing safe closure and rendering the suppression system ineffective.
Recommendations for Enhanced Safety
In response to these findings, the NTSB has made several recommendations:
- To enhance enforcement of regulations concerning the use of powered industrial trucks and emergency procedures at marine terminals.
- To improve marine vessel firefighting training for land-based firefighters, including the Newark Fire Division, and develop comprehensive emergency response policies.
- To conduct an inventory of all vessels to identify fire boundary openings and ensure they can be closed from outside protected spaces.
- To revise vessel plan approval procedures to guarantee that fire boundary openings can be externally secured.
- To propose clarifications to the International Maritime Organization regarding regulations on closing openings in fire-protected spaces, applicable both in port and at sea.
These recommendations aim to bolster the safety and effectiveness of firefighting operations on marine vessels, ensuring that land-based responders are adequately equipped and trained to handle such emergencies.
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Source: NTSB
