What Happened
What Happened
On April 16, 2020, a fire on board the dive support vessel Iron Maiden occurred while the vessel was docked at the Allied Shipyard in Larose, Louisiana. Local firefighters extinguished the fire at 0225. No one was aboard the vessel at the time of the fire. No pollution or injuries were reported. Damage to the vessel was estimated at greater than $900,000.
What We Found
What We Found
The probable cause of the fire aboard the dive support vessel Iron Maiden was an electrical short from an unidentified source located on the forward bulkhead within the generator room. Contributing to the undetected propagation of the fire was the lack of continuous monitoring of the vessel while it was docked at the shipyard.
What We Recommended
Continuous Monitoring of Inactive Vessels
Fire and flooding are risks for both crewed and unattended vessels. To protect personnel, property, and the environment, it is good marine practice for owners, operators, and shipyard managers to coordinate and implement some form of continuous monitoring for vessels undergoing maintenance in a shipyard, in lay-up, or in some other inactive period without regular crews aboard. Continuous monitoring can consist of scheduled security rounds and/or active monitoring with sensing and alarm systems.
