A FIRE on board a general cargo vessel at Port Hedland last year was the tenth fire in 14 years to have broken out on a ship managed by one company, an investigation has found.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau concluded its investigation into the incident on Wednesday this week and outlined the issues it found.
BBC Rhonetal was alongside at Port Hedland on 25 March last year when a fire broke out in the cargo hold while hot work was being carried out.
The work involved the use of a plasma torch to cut welded sea fastenings for cargo units, and the fire it started was not declared extinguished until three days later.
ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the investigation found the risk of fire had not been adequately assessed by the crew prior to the commencement of the hot work.
“As a result, a continuous fire watch was not maintained, and proper precautions were not taken to sufficiently protect vulnerable cargo from catching alight,” he said.
The ATSB found BBC Rhonetal’s managers had not effectively implemented the shipboard safety management system procedures to prevent the fire.
“The continuing incidence of fires on the cargo holds of ships while performing hot work highlights the importance of adhering to shipboard procedures and recognised safe work guidelines for hot work,” Mr Mitchell said.
BBC Rhonetal’s managers have reportedly advised the ATSB that procedures for hot work will be amended to better describe the role of the fire watch, emphasising its importance in fire prevention.
They said fire watch requirements will also be integrated into the hot work permit procedure and additional equipment for the fire watch is to be distributed across the fleet.
The company also intends to undertake measures to educate shipboard crew on the amended procedures and the additional equipment, including through implementation of a training video.
“While the ATSB considers the safety action proposed by the ship’s managers in this case has the potential to address the hot work safety issue, no timeline has been provided for their implementation, and the ATSB has therefore issued a formal recommendation to the ship’s managers, and the parent company,” Mr Mitchell said.
He said the formal recommendation the ATSB has issued will remain open until the safety bureau is satisfied the organisation has addressed the safety issue.
“The ATSB is recommending the ship’s managers, Briese Heavylift, and its parent company Briese Schiffahrts, take safety action to ensure safety management system procedures are effectively implemented on BBC Rhonetal and all other relevant ships across their fleets,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Ship operators and managers must ensure that their safety management system protocols for hot work are suitable and properly implemented on board their ships.
“This requires regular verification that ships’ crew understand and follow prescribed safe work practices for hot work.”
The operator’s most recent incident was the fourth of its kind investigated by the ATSB, each of which shared similar contributing factors.
