Cargo Ship Officer Breaks Down Over Deaths Of 2 Firefighters In Blaze Onboard Vessel

An officer of the Italian Cargo Ship that caught fire in Port Newark last summer recalled the crew’s efforts to put out the fire while expressing his sadness that 2 Newark Fire Department Captains lost their lives in trying to tackle the blaze.

Video Credits: Associated Press

Benito LaFauci, Grande Costa D’Avorio’s chief mate, said at a hearing before the NTSB and US. Coast Guard regarding the cause of the 5th July fire, which killed Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr.

When the accident happened, the Grimaldi-owned ship was being loaded with 1200 vehicles destined for international markets at one of the busiest American ports.

In the hearing, LeFauci mentioned in detail the efforts of the crew to fight the fire after it started, using fire extinguishers, connecting the firefighting hose to the water system and activating the carbon dioxide fire suppression system.

He broke down and sobbed as he expressed his condolences to the families of the dead firefighters and reiterated that the ship’s crew tried their best to put out the blaze.

The hearing will go on for two weeks, and as it began, a port worker who pushed vehicles on the ships and up the ramp to the upper levels recounted how he barely escaped his Jeep Wrangler when it caught fire after he manoeuvred a vehicle in its place. It was found that the Jeep was seen emitting smoke the same day the fire broke out.

The families of the firefighters plan to sue Grimaldi and the two stevedore companies involved in the vessel loading.

The NTSB and Coast Guard investigation revealed that the Newark Fire Department had no maritime firefighting training or familiarisation with ships carrying cargo.

While trying to ascertain the cause of the blaze, the inquiry does not seek to blame anybody. However, it will issue safety recommendations besides those included in the alert.

It has been suggested that local fire departments and ports should carry out regular shipboard firefighting training to train the department to tackle fire onboard ships.

References: ABCNews, Fire rescue

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