Case Study: Lack Of Continuous Monitoring At Issue In Shipyard Fire

A 2020 shipyard fire aboard the Iron Maiden was able to start and spread without notice because no one was continually monitoring the vessel while fire detectors were shut off during repairs, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report issued.

Marine Accident Brief 21/11 details the NTSB’s investigation into April 16, 2020, a fire aboard the dive support vessel docked at the Allied Shipyard in Larose, Louisiana. The fire caused $900,000 in damage. There were no injuries.

While the fire caused extensive damage throughout the generator room, the NTSB found fire pattern and damage indicating the fire started near the forward bulkhead.

The Iron Maiden before the April 16, 2020 fire, with previous name and different owner - Photo - U.S. Coast Guard — The Iron Maiden before the April 16, 2020 fire, with previous name and different owner. | Image Credits: USCG

Because the battery charger, alarm panel, and generator push-button start-stop panel were in the area of fire ignition identified by fire investigators, an electrical short from one of these components may have been the source of the fire. However, the exact location of the source of the fire could not be identified by fire investigators.

There was no crewmember or shipyard worker staying on board the Iron Maiden during the night of the fire. The vessel’s fire detection system was shut off while work was being conducted within the vessel to prevent false alarms from smoke and dust. In addition, there was no shipyard policy or vessel owner policy in place to have shipyard personnel or vessel crewmembers conduct safety rounds after hours when there was no work being done on the vessel.

“Fire and flooding are risks for both crewed and unattended vessels,” the report said. “To protect personnel, property, and the environment, it is good marine practice for owners, operators, and shipyard managers to coordinate and implement some form of continuous monitoring for vessels undergoing maintenance in a shipyard, in lay-up, or in some other inactive period without regular crews aboard. Continuous monitoring can consist of scheduled security rounds and/or active monitoring with sensing and alarm systems.”

Click here to view/download the Marine Accident Brief 21/11

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