PRINCESA DO DOURO - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: PRINCESA DO DOURO
GAMA reference: 2014-118
Data da ocorrência acidental: 08-05-2014
Circulated on: 01-04-2015
Published on: 01-05-2015
Casualty Event: Explosion
Summary
On 8 May 2014, PRINCESA DO DOURO was berthed at Freixo quay on the River Douro, secured outboard of TRANSDOURO, with seven crew members and no passengers aboard. Shortly before 2150, the crew heard a bang or explosion from the upper deck and found dense smoke inside the wheelhouse. Four propane cylinders located in a box immediately abaft the wheelhouse were moved away from the fire. The crew fought the fire using dry-powder extinguishers and a water hose while the Maritime Police and Porto fire service were alerted. Firefighters subsequently completed damping-down operations. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported.
Safety recommendations
No safety recommendations were issued.
Lessons learned
Alterations to shipboard electrical installations should be designed, documented and completed by competent personnel in accordance with applicable maritime standards. Distribution-board labels and circuit records should be updated whenever spaces or electrical loads are modified. Protective devices should be periodically tested, electrical wiring should be maintained and inspected, battery spaces should be ventilated, and electrical cables should be segregated from gas piping and cylinder-storage arrangements.