ATSB recommends action from shipping operator Briese Schiffahrts after Port Hedland cargo ship fire

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has issued safety recommendations to the parent company of cargo ship BBC Rhonetal which caught fire while berthed in Port Hedland last year — the tenth fire on a ship managed by the company in 14 years.

The ship was berthed in Port Hedland on the morning of March 25, 2021 when a fire broke out in the lower cargo hold during hot work using a plasma torch to cut welded fastenings to unload them.

The fire was not declared extinguished until three days later.

The ATSB transport safety investigation into the incident found this to be the 10th fire on a ship managed under the same parent company — Briese Schiffahrts — in the past 14 years.

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the investigation found the risk of fire had not been adequately assessed by the crew prior to the commencement of the hot work.

“As a result, a continuous fire watch was not maintained, and proper precautions were not taken to sufficiently protect vulnerable cargo from catching alight,” he said.

The investigation found BBC Rhonetal’s managers had not effectively implemented the shipboard safety management system procedures to prevent the fire.

Since the report was released, the ship’s managers have advised the ATSB that procedures for hot work would be amended to better describe the role of the fire watch, emphasising its importance in fire prevention.

Fire watch requirements will also be integrated into the hot work permit procedure and additional equipment for the fire watch is to be distributed across the fleet.

The company also intends to undertake measures to educate shipboard crew on the amended procedures and the additional equipment, including the implementation of a training video.

“While the ATSB considers the safety action proposed by the ship’s managers in this case has the potential to address the hot work safety issue, no timeline has been provided for their implementation, and the ATSB has therefore issued a formal recommendation to the ship’s managers, and the parent company,” Mr Mitchell said.

An ATSB safety recommendation remains open until it is satisfied the responsible organisation has addressed the safety issue identified.