Forgetting to switch off the lights in cargo holds can damage cargo but in more extreme cases, it can lead to fire.
The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (NZ TAIC) has recently published the report of its investigation into a cargo hold fire.
The geared multi-purpose container vessel KOKOPO CHIEF loaded packaged timber under deck before closing the hatch covers and loading containers on top. Hours later, the fire detection system alerted the crew of a fire in No.4 hold. The vessel’s fixed carbon dioxide (CO2) fire-extinguishing system was activated and the local fire service responded and worked with the crew to monitor the situation.
The investigators found that the fire was caused by heat radiating from a cargo hold light that set fire to packs of timber stowed close to the lamp. The cargo hold lights had not been switched off on completion of loading.
The report concludes that the response to the fire was well co-ordinated, but identified the following safety issues:
- The operator’s safety management system had not fully mitigated the risk of fire caused by cargo hold lighting, in spite of an earlier incident involving similar circumstances
- The responsibilities of the various authorities involved in responding to the fire were not clearly documented and understood by all parties
- The Fire and Emergency New Zealand training standards did not fully cover the special considerations for responding to shipboard fires
The NZ TAIC report can be read here.
Author: Alvin Forster
Deputy Director (Los Prevention)