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10 Appendices

Preventative measures against ires

The occurrence of ires and explosions in tankers can be greatly reduced by following the International Safety Guide for
Tankers & Terminals (ISGOTT) but, as with all ires, proper maintenance of equipment and ensuring safe working practices go

a long way to preventing incidents. In short, it is not possible to prevent ires on vessels entirely; some events are beyond a

Master’s control.
Nevertheless, most ires are preventable by means that are well understood and can be summarised as good working practice.

• Ensure that the engineers and oilers are properly trained and supervised when undertaking their work and that work is

checked on completion so that any problems can be detected and rectiied.
• Carry out proper planned maintenance and monitoring, including the use of thermal imaging, in order to identify developing

faults before they become too serious.

• During hot work ensure no combustible material is around the work area or that it is shielded.
• Keep good housekeeping in the engine room, no waste or rags.

• Carry out inspections to ensure there is good housekeeping in the accommodation and especially galley. No pans with oils,

no dangerous material in lockers or cabins.
• Carry out a two person check to ensure that the illed out checklist has been adhered to.

• Follow the IMDG and IMSBC Code rigorously.

• On a container vessel the Master should ensure that those dangerous goods he does know about are carried in accordance
with the IMDG Code and that proper checks of the containers are carried out during the voyage.

• Make sure there are no sources of ignition on open decks, such as running motors and pumps, that can provide both

electrical and mechanical sparks and heating, static electricity, mechanical sparks as a result of dropped tools or
inappropriate footwear and the use of unauthorised or damaged equipment.

• Ensure that the ire detection system is fully operational.

As Dr Mullen mentions, it is not only important to have the correct procedures for preventing ires, there must also be checks
that ensure that these procedures are followed. This is best done during internal audits and when a superintendent is visiting

the vessel.

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