SHIP FIRE IN THE CHANNEL

Divisional Officer Kettle of Cornwall Fire Brigade describes a recent incident which occured on a container ship off the northwest coast of Guernsey.

On Saturday 20 December 1997, the State of Guernsey Fire Brigade and Cornwall County Fire Brigade became involved in a joint operation aboard the 29,000 tonne roll-on roll-off container ship, Kukawa. The British registered vessel, with a crew of 33, was 25 miles northwest of Guernsey on passage from West Africa to Rotterdam. The ship, which was about 40% laden, was carrying a cargo of cut timber, cocoa and fruit, mainly in containers and some as loose cargo.

THE INCIDENT
A fire occurred in the engine room of the vessel at about 12.45pm and the Captain transmitted a distress message, which was received by the coastguard control at St Peter Port, Guernsey. The State of Guernsey Fire Brigade was alerted at 1 . 1 11pm. At this time it was unclear as to the situation aboard the vessel, but the Brigade's local plan was instigated and crews were mobilised by air and sea at 2.12pm. Brixham Coastguard in Devon took control of the incident. As information was received back from the vessel, additional resources were mobilised, including the coast- guard tug, Fal Minara, which remains on station in the southwest approaches for such emergencies, a French tug and two French firefighters. Cornwall County Fire Brigade were alerted at 4.22pm and a reconnaissance team landed on the vessel at 5pm via helicopter from RNAS Culdrose.

THE SHIP
The ship had five main decks and six decks in the superstructure, which was located aft. Within the superstructure was a box through which the machinery space uptakes passed to the funnel. It was reported that a fuel line had ruptured on the starboard engine, sending a fireball up through the boiler flap space and funnel uptakes. All the dampers and vents were operated by the crew and the engine room drenched with carbon dioxide from the fire suppression system. When the Guernsey fire- fighters gained access to the engine room area they deter- mined that the fire had been extinguished by the carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, the fireball had spread the fire into the superstructure via cable runs and unprotected openings. The ship had lost all power and the firemain had to be supplemented via two light portable pumps, positioned on the stern door platform.

OPERATIONAL TACTICS
A severe fire continued to burn within the superstructure, making it difficult to commit firefighters inside, hence defensive operations were maintained. It was decided that the best way forward was to take the vessel in tow and proceed to Falmouth in Cornwall, a natural port of refuge, providing full dock facilities and deep water moorings. The vessel arrived off Falmouth at midday on Sunday, 21 December. Relief crews from Cornwall were placed on board to maintain boundary cooling of the superstructure. A further strategic and tactical meeting of various representatives cook place on the vessel and the harbour master gave permission for the vessel to be taken alongside. This decision was a significant factor in the ultimate successful outcome of the incident as it enabled the Brigade to maximise its resources. By this time, the fire had spread further within the superstructure and the bridge had to be evacuated. Two cabin windows failed under the pressure of the fire, allowing more air into the compartments, which were being continually boundary cooled. Top ventilation was carried out via the bridge and this appeared to assist with containment. Due to the tides the vessel could not be taken alongside until 9.00pm, so for almost six hours containment continued. During this time pump failures resulted in the loss of all boundary cooling efforts for almost 45 minutes.

DOCKSIDE FIREFIGHTING
At 9pm, the Kukawa was moored in Falmouth docks and the Chief Fire Officer was then given a full appraisal of the situation. The full resources of Cornwall County Fire Brigade were now readily available and offensive firefighting began. The firefighting continued throughout Sunday and Monday. At one stage, 10 pumps, an aerial ladder pump and a control unit were engaged at the dockside. At 5.10pm on Monday 22 December, a fire surrounded message was returned by the Incident Commander. One crew remained through the night, finally leaving the scene at 10.30am on Tuesday 23 December, when the vessel was handed back to the owners and the salvage company. The ship came out of the incident still intact, although the superstructure is in need of major repair. The fire did not reach the cargo and there were no injuries sustained by either the crew or by firefighters. Additionally, a stowaway was located and handed over to the authorities. The vessel currently lies in Falmouth docks, awaiting repair before probably returning to sea. The Kukawa incident was the third offshore response that Cornwall County Fire Brigade carried out in 1997.