Maintenance
Chapter II-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974 (SOLAS) Regulations and amendments sets out requirements for the provision and maintenance of fire detection, fire suppression, fire prevention and means of escape in case of fire.
As per the International Safety Management code the ship must have a maintenance plan5 as part of the safety management system to ensure the maintenance and inspection of fire detection, fire prevention and firefighting equipment are carried out at periodic intervals in accordance with the relevant recommendations and manufacturers’ guidelines.
Fire drills
Regular onboard fire drills are prescribed by the SOLAS Convention. The ship should carry out routine and frequent fire drills to address different simulated fire incidents in different areas of the ship, such as machinery space, cargo holds, accommodation areas, etc. These fire drills are to be realistic and tailored to address foreseeable fire scenarios specific to ship operations including the engine room4.
All crew should participate in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire drill every month on a cargo ship. On passenger ships, an abandon ship drill and fire drill should take place weekly.
Teamwork and communication
The importance of fire drills as per SOLAS requirements must consider the fire-fighting capability of the team. Effective communication and teamwork are essential to ensure the crew are familiar and well-equipped in firefighting and the containment of fires. Lack of operational readiness of firefighting equipment, lack of a centralised chain of command, and gaps in training and familiarisation of crew are some of the aspects that can contribute to delayed response times in actual fire incidents8.
The Australian and New Zealand National Council for fire and emergency services (AFAC) published a report identifying psychological factors underpinning decision-making in firefighting6. Some shortfalls include:
- command and role confusion
- lack of trust
- unable to predict fire behaviour.
Environmental stressors that can also impact teamwork and performance include7:
- multiple information sources
- incomplete, conflicting information
- rapidly changing, evolving scenarios
- adverse physical conditions
- time pressure
- high work or information load
- auditory overload or interference.
Characteristics of good teamwork include leadership, followership, effective communication, trust building, and motivation. It is important that there is accurate and timely transmission of information to avoid miscommunication, which could result in serious consequences.
Good teamwork will build mutual trust and team coordination amongst the crew, as well as reduce risk of error, particularly in life-threatening situations. It is important that crew members are able to respond, communicate, receive and carry out instructions efficiently in the event of a fire onboard.
4 UK P&I (2016). Risk Focus: Engine Room Fires
5 AMSA (2021). Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin. Planned Maintenance
6 AFAC (2009). Fire Note: How human factors drive decisions at fire ground level.
7 CASA (2022). Safety behaviours: human factors for pilots – Resource booklet 5 teamwork
8 Gard (2021). A delayed response to a fire can be fatal for the fire team.