B SAFE Onboard Safety BSAFE INCIDENT CASE STUDY 25: INJURY AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DUE TO CABIN FIRE Published: 12 November 2024 A FIRE OCCURRED ONBOARD A 2,565 GT GENERAL CARGO SHIP, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND INJURING ONE CREW MEMBER. FORTUNATELY, NO LIVES WERE LOST. Figure 1 Image of General Cargo Ship Source Ship Details (IHS Maritime, S&P Global) WHAT HAPPENED During a layover in Gibraltar for bunkering and minor repairs, the crew had the opportunity to go ashore. One of the crew members (AB2) consumed alcohol before returning to the ship, which then resumed its journey to Belfast. Later that evening, AB2 retired to his cabin located on the starboard aft side of Deck 2. Figure 2 Deck 2 accommodation layout Source Marine Accident Investigation Branch – Gov.UK: Accident Investigation Report 18/2014 The crew member (AB2) opened the porthole in his cabin, a common practice onboard due to the ship’s unreliable and noisy ventilation system, which often drew dust into the cabins. He then spent some time drinking beer (approximately 6-8 units of alcohol) and smoking cigarettes, continuing these activities after getting into bed. It is presumed that a lit cigarette fell onto the adjacent sofa, which was made of highly flammable synthetic materials. A fire quickly spread in the confined, material-rich environment of the cabin. During the subsequent investigation, items such as papers, lighters, and a plastic container of paint thinner were reported to have been present. At approximately 0315, the crew member awoke to pain in his right hand and leg, finding his cabin engulfed in smoke and flames. In a panicked and partially dressed state, he threw an already burning blanket from the sofa onto the fire and ran to the bridge to report a fire, failing to properly close the cabin door as he left. At approximately 0317, the ship’s second officer (2/O) proceeded to Deck 2 from the bridge to confirm the incident. After seeing smoke in the alleyway, he sounded the general alar