ATLÂNTIDA AZUL - Very serious maritime casualty
Vessel: ATLÂNTIDA AZUL
GAMA reference: 2019-111
Data da ocorrência acidental: 21-06-2019
Published on: 14-10-2019
Summary
On 21 June 2019, during a pilotage operation in the Port of Sines, the crew of ATLÂNTIDA AZUL detected a fire in the engine room. The fire originated from the rupture of a high-pressure fuel pipe connected to the port engine, which sprayed atomized fuel onto a hot exhaust surface. The engine room door and ventilation openings remained open, and the fixed fire-extinguishing system was not activated. The crew abandoned the vessel and transferred to a tugboat. The fire subsequently engulfed the vessel, which sank and was later refloated.
Safety recommendations
SR01-2019/111 A, Ports of Sines and the Algarve Authority: Assess rotating crew members among the teams assigned to pilot boats.
SR02-2019/111 B, Ports of Sines and the Algarve Authority: Assess implementing an annual programme of emergency drills completed by all crew members.
SR03-2019/111 C, Ports of Sines and the Algarve Authority: Assess improving checklists so that crews are familiar with emergency equipment, its operationthe required response.
SR04-2019/111 D, à APIBARRA: Assess including an emergency-procedures module, particularly for fire, in the SafetyProtection of Pilots course delivered to pilot-boat crews.
Lessons learned
Upon detecting a fire in an engine room, the engines should be stopped, fuel and electrical power supplies isolated, and all doors, portholes and ventilation openings closed before activating the fixed fire-extinguishing system. Procedures and checklists should be regularly practised through drills. Alarms and fixed extinguishing systems should be tested and their maintenance recorded during inspections. Permanent crews benefit from personnel rotation and joint training. External firefighting operations should employ the appropriate extinguishing agent, and towing a vessel on fire should not expose personnel to additional risk.