BBC Rhonetal’s managers had not effectively implemented the shipboard safety management system procedures in place to prevent the fire. This was the tenth such fire on a company ship in the past 14 years, and the fourth investigated by the ATSB, identifying similar contributing factors.
On 6 July 2023, Briese Schiffahrts and Briese Heavylift advised that the companies had implemented a new SMS procedure for hot work which included specific instructions for fire watch. The company also issued an accompanying ISM circular to its fleet of ships describing the use of new firefighting equipment for fire watch duties, including training material for new IFEX firefighting equipment. The company also advised that it had communicated with its clients regarding the packaging of cargo in fire retardant materials.
The requirement of hot work to secure break bulk cargo will continue to attract an inherent risk of sparks and molten debris contacting flammable material below and adjacent to the work site. However, effective implementation of suitably trained and equipped fire watch personnel means that it is probable that the beginnings of any potential fires will be identified and extinguished before the situation escalates into a major fire event.
Additionally, ongoing work to ensure that cargo is appropriately packaged so as not to present a fire risk will also mitigate the risk of fires starting during hot work in and around cargo spaces.
On 16 August 2022, Briese Heavylift advised the ATSB that it intends to amend the shipboard procedures for hot work to better describe the role of the fire watch, emphasising its importance in fire prevention. Fire watch requirements are to be integrated into the hot work permit procedure and backpacks containing equipment that includes a portable foam extinguisher, ‘thunderer’ whistle, infrared camera and a high visibility vest will be provided for the fire watch.
Briese Heavylift also intends to educate shipboard crew on the amended procedures and the additional equipment though a training video. This education is to be reiterated during ship inspections by shore-based staff.
The ATSB acknowledges the safety actions proposed by Briese Heavylift, particularly the training and educational initiatives, which have the potential to adequately address this safety issue. However, as there is no timeline for implementing these proposed actions, the ATSB will monitor the safety issue and assess any safety action when taken. Further, this safety issue is applicable to ships managed by Briese Schiffarhts, the parent company, as well as those managed by its subsidiary companies. Therefore, addressing this safety issue will involve taking safety action across their fleets and, accordingly, the ATSB will issue a safety recommendation to support the proposed safety action.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Briese Heavylift takes safety action to ensure safety management system procedures for hot work on board ships that it manages are effectively implemented.
On 6 July 2023, Briese Heavylift advised that it had implemented a new SMS procedure for hot work which included specific instructions for fire watch. The company also issued an accompanying ISM circular to its fleet of ships, describing the use of new firefighting equipment for fire watch duties, including training material for new IFEX firefighting equipment. The company also advised that it had communicated with its clients regarding the packaging of cargos in fire retardant materials.
The ATSB acknowledges and welcomes the safety action implemented by Briese Heavylift, particularly the education of shipboard crew on appropriate precautions and procedures for conducting hot work.
The ATSB observes that the requirement of hot work to secure break bulk cargo will continue to attract an inherent risk of sparks and molten debris contacting flammable material below and adjacent to the work site. However, effective implementation of suitably trained and equipped fire watch personnel means that it is probable that the beginnings of any potential fires will be identified and extinguished before the situation escalates into a major fire event.
Additionally, ongoing work to ensure that cargo is appropriately packaged so as not to present a fire risk will also mitigate the risk of fires starting during hot work in and around cargo spaces.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Briese Schiffarhts takes safety action to ensure safety management system procedures for hot work on board ships that it manages and ones managed by its subsidiary companies are effectively implemented.
On 6 July 2023, Briese Schiffahrts advised that it had implemented a new SMS procedure for hot work which included specific instructions for fire watch. The company also issued an accompanying ISM circular to its fleet of ships, describing the use of new firefighting equipment for fire watch duties, including training material for new IFEX firefighting equipment. The company also advised that it had communicated with its clients regarding the packaging of cargos in fire retardant materials.
The ATSB acknowledges and welcomes the safety action implemented by Briese Schiffahrts, particularly the education of shipboard crew on appropriate precautions and procedures for conducting hot work.
The ATSB observes that the requirement of hot work to secure break bulk cargo will continue to attract an inherent risk of sparks and molten debris contacting flammable material below and adjacent to the work site. However, effective implementation of suitably trained and equipped fire watch personnel means that it is probable that the beginnings of any potential fires will be identified and extinguished before the situation escalates into a major fire event.
Additionally, ongoing work to ensure that cargo is appropriately packaged so as not to present a fire risk will also mitigate the risk of fires starting during hot work in and around cargo spaces.
