DFDS Ferry Fire

Port of Dover

1 May 2014.TOC 1412 hrs

Ferry info

• DFDS passenger

ferry

• 28,000 tonnes

• 365 passengers on

board

Initial alert

• Crew alerted to fire whilst at sea (approx. 3 miles from Dover)

• Unsure as to the exact time alarm raised

• Aware of 1st TOC to PoDaprox 1410hrs

• AFD activated in boiler room containing thermal oil heating system

• Boiler 5m x 2m approx

Assistance required

• Came via POD Police thus bypassing

MRCC Dover even though “at sea”

• We can safely assume DFDS called

the port directly.

• Berthing, disembarkation of freight,

passengers concerns?

KFRS Alerted

• KFRS alerted at 1412hrs – ship still

“at sea”

• Information passed by the Port of

Dover Police that a small fire on-

board that was contained by DFDS

fire crew.

• 2 pumps and an officer mobilised

Initial Response

• 14:13 DFDS ferry arrives at Port of Dover

• 14:17 1st KFRS pump arrives

• 14:21 2nd KFRS pump arrives

• 14:25 1st Informative ➢DFDS ferry with 365 passengers on board - Ferry

about to dock - Fire in portside boiler room - Fire contained but not extinguished – FRS currently liaising with ship crew - Delta mode while carrying out risk assessment

Initial Response

• 14:27 Further informative message received –Evacuation of passengers is about to commence

• 14:32 – KFRS officer (Station Manager) arrives

• Your initial thoughts/actions as first L2?

• 14:35 – Assistance message received from WM –Make pumps 8, height vehicle 1 for fire in boiler room

Whilst at Sea DFDS Response

• Investigation of room identified a small fire contained within the boiler itself.

• Boiler shut down?

• Further intervention via fixed installations

Familiarisation

• Picture shows the

control room with

the boiler/heating

switch gear

• This would be the

entry level at deck

9

Deck 9 to deck 8 stairs

DFDS response

• DECK 7 plan

• Arrows indicate fixed installations available to Boiler Room from outside or remotely from bridge

Response Timeline

• 14:53 Informative message received –WM small fire on ship alongside

• 14:54 FRCC mobilised nearest marine trained officer

• 15:00 Detailed informative message received:

Station Manager now OIC; - Fire in portsideboiler room on Dieppe Seaways car ferry currently at berth 6; (cont’d)

Response Timeline

• Message continues (1500hrs)

Fire is contained in sealed boiler room on port side of vessel; - Boiler still alight but in safe position regarding fire spread; – On board fire team have already attacked the fire with dry powder extinguisher with limited effect; - KFRS crews currently looking at starboard boiler room for familiarisation to attack portside boiler room.

Evacuation complete

• 15:07 Informative message received –All passengers and cargo have been removed from vessel - Ships crew siphoning off as much boiler fuel as possible –additional crews standing by on quayside - Oscarmode public safety.

Liaison

• Liaison with crew and confirmed the incident was believed to be involved a small fire contained “within boiler” not the room - This was done at Scene of Operations

• Your thoughts as OIC??

• Fixed installations?

• Risk Assessment?

• Temp reading?

• Ventilation?

Initial Response Timeline

• 15:11 Informative message received -

KFRS will run the incident from the

ship and quayside – Dover harbour

board do not need to set up

emergency room – Boiler fuel now

removed. Crews awaiting boiler to

cool down - Oscar mode public safety

Initial Response Timeline

• 15:15 Informative message –

Group Manager now in charge, Station Manager

is Ops Commander

• 15:19 From FRCC –

Request confirmation that ARA has been carried

out. Answer received from CP to standby.

Making entry

• Firefighting access to be made from open deck area leading to top of boiler at Deck 9 level

Deck 9 Scene of Ops

Backdraught/Fire Gas Explosion1520 – 1523 hrs

Scene of Operations

• Second Marine officer IA who proceeded to bridge via Scene of Ops;

• Passed all the burnt FFs and crew on way;

• Activity at S of O;

• Reassurance to Chief Engof compartment to be remained sealed and no re entry was to be made;

• Initial SM assisted off the ship by FRS colleagues

Entry Point

KFRS BA Crew

DFDS BA Crew

ECB & ECO

DFDS Crews

KFRS L1 & L2 + 2nd BA team

Bridge Operations Info

• Approx 1530hrs first officer arrives on

bridge.

• FRMR Key Info Sheets

• All recorded – aware for decisions.

• Interrogating ships systems/fixed inst

• Temp monitoring strategy

• Effective communications IC-OC-SC

Post FGE management

• Management of casualties

• Additional resources mobilised

• Fire extinguished (see notes)

• Significant Safety Event procedure implemented

Fire Development

• Flexible ducting from boiler to fan failed resulting in heat escaping and causing vaporisation of materials and build up of heat and unburnt products of combustion in boiler room. (outside of boiler itself)

• No fire initially but massive heat and unburnt fuel build up.

Inside of boiler room

Inside of boiler room

Inside of boiler room

Entry point - Cobra cold cut

Extended Investigation

• Commenced during incident

• MAIB

• HSE

• Port of Dover

• Local & National FBU

• Peer support

• CFOA

Investigation

Principles

• Open, lessons learned approach

• Multi-party

• Limit repetition of witness/victim interviews

Casualty info

• 4 KFRS Staff

• 1 with shock and minor burns –treated at scene

• 3 conveyed to burns centre. 2 released same day and one detained 2 nights

• 6 DFDS ferry crew

with range of burns

Outcomes for KFRS

• Review of Marine Firefighting tactical guidance – Regional TOG

• Review of Marine Firefighting -vessel alongside/ at sea – MFF course

• Review Marine Training – Firefighting cordons, ships liaison - MFF course

• Tactical advisors for Marine incidents –National cadre.

Recommendations from MAIB

With regard to shipboard fire-fighting:

• Emphasise to its firefighters the available guidance provided in GRA5.8 and the Fire and Rescue Manual with regard to backdraught conditions with particular emphasis on the need to conduct a thorough situational risk assessment before developing an entry plan

• Issue guidance to FRS OIC on the need to liaise effectively with the ship’s master, recognising that the ship’s master is responsible for the safety of the ship and its crew

• Provide more specific shipboard fire-fighting training to exercise combined command and control, and enhance risk perception in respect of ship construction and associated hazards.

Objectives

By the time you leave here today:

• TOG & NOG

• Mobilising SOPs

• Your role in initial scene assessment and liaison

• Implement a safe system of work– Thorough situational risk assessment

– Dockside safety sector inc boarding control

– Effective liaison [ships master/OIC/Port authorities]

– ICS

– Containment strategy

– Ships Plans

– Tactical advisors.

– Decision logs

Questions?