Page 45: of Marine News Magazine (February 2017)

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FIRE & SAFETY

A void within a stow of containers in a hold as the result of structural failure of a unit lower in the stack.

must be to ensure the safety of the crew and others on vestigator or team of investigators with a keen eye for detail board, extinguish the ? re and minimize the damage to the should be mobilized. They should correctly identify, evaluate, vessel and the cargo. However, steps that are taken after collect, process and analyze evidence in a timely manner, as safety is assured are also vital, and often mishandled. well as managing the scene and all individuals in attendance.

A crucial decision to be made as soon as the incident has Fires and explosions are not simple matters; they can occur been stabilized is to decide which experts will be needed on within very complex systems on board a vessel. Investigators the ground. The correct selection is essential in order to de- working to determine the cause of an incident can bene? t termine the chronology of events at the earliest possible stage signi? cantly from the support of a highly skilled and quali- in the investigation. If this is established correctly, then the ? ed multi-disciplinary team. Ship ? res and explosions may investigation will set off on the right path. During this initial require the expertise of, for example, marine engineers, met- response, a properly equipped, trained and experienced in- allurgists, fuel chemists, naval architects and cargo scientists, 45 www.marinelink.com MN

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