USCG Alert on Ro-Ro Fires

The alert is based on a recent incident involving a ro-ro cargo vessel carrying used vehicles. Upon completion of loading, the vessel’s crew observed smoke coming from the hold ventilation ducts, the source of which was a vehicle fire. The crew’s attempts to fight the fire were unsuccessful and the vessel was abandoned. Despite local firefighters arriving quickly on scene, the vessel burned for over a week.

During their investigation, the Coast Guard found vehicles leaking fluids, personal goods and combustibles (including ammunition) stored within vehicles, and the failure to protect batteries from short circuiting.

Within three months of this casualty, a similar incident occurred within the same Coast Guard sector but on another ro-ro vessel. Although this fire was not as severe, The Coast Guard state that they made similar findings.

The Coast Guard reminds vessel owners, operators, charterers, and business entities engaged in shipping of vehicles on vessels of the requirements:

• Protect vehicle batteries against short circuiting – disconnect the battery if appropriate
• Remove all personal and combustible material from vehicles prior to loading them onto a vessel
• Do not permit vehicles known to be leaking to be loaded onto the vessel
• Inspect and remove leaking vehicles from the vessel prior to sailing
• Comply with the IMDG Code

Read the full marine safety alert here.

North’s briefing on ro-ro fires can be read here: https://www.nepia.com/publications/ro-ro-fires-briefing/