Read Seaways online at www.nautinst.org/seaways October 2023 | Seaways | 17 Providing learning through confidential reports – an international co-operative scheme for improving safety MARS – Lessons Learned MARS Report No 372 October 2023 Visit www.nautinst.org/MARS for online database Lessons learned l Scrap metal seems innocuous and is listed as noncombustible in the IMSBC Code, but is nonetheless a fire risk. Another MARS report of this type can be found at 202243 and below, at 202346. l Scrap metal fires tend to be hard to extinguish and burn hot and long, often causing major damage. See MARS report below. Risk reduction measures for this type of cargo could include: l Checking the temperature of the cargo regularly to ensure the load is not self-heating. If the temperature is higher than 55°C, the cargo should not be loaded. If, during the voyage, the temperature rises to 80°C, this is a potential fire risk and the vessel should immediately proceed to the nearest port. l Appointing a qualified cargo surveying company to assist the vessel’s Master before and during loading. MARS 202346 Scrap metal fire extinguished but vessel sunk As edited from JTSB (Japan) report MA2018-10  A general cargo vessel was loading scrap metal into both the forward and aft cargo holds. A loader was lowered into the aft cargo hold to smooth the heap of scrap metal in certain areas. At one point, the operator of the loader saw a small amount of white smoke rising from MARS 202345 Scrap metal fire hazard As edited from NTSB (USA) report MIR-23-07  A tug was towing a scrap metal barge in coastal waters in easy wind and wave conditions. The scrap metal was ‘shredder feed’, which is a lower grade than heavy melting steel. Shredder feed consists of a variety of different metal scraps, including end-of-life vehicles that have been crushed (but with free-flowing liquids – gasoline, oil, paint, anti-freeze, lubricants – removed), household appliances, and various other ferrous metal pieces greater than one-quarter inch in thickness. Early one morning a crew member on watch saw smoke and a red glow emanating from the pile of scrap metal on the barge being towed 200m astern. Soon, flames were seen coming from the same area of the barge. The alarm was raised. The fire on the barge was quickly getting larger, and the tow wire was shorted to about 100m to better control the barge. Soon, Coast Guard and local authorities arrived on scene and began fighting the fire. At this point, the fire on the barge had grown exponentially. The barge was towed into shallower water and beached. Firefighting efforts continued for the next 24 hours before the fire was finally extinguished. No pollution or injuries were reported. Damage to the barge was extensive and estimated at $7 million. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the fire was the ignition of a combustible material by an undetermined source, such as sparking from shifting metallic cargo, self-heating of metallic or nonmetallic cargo, improperly prepared vehicles and appliances, or damaged lithium-ion batteries. The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), lists scrap metal as a ‘Group C’ cargo, which is unlikely to liquefy, does not possess chemical hazards, is noncombustible, and has a low fire risk. 18 | Seaways | October 2023 Read Seaways online at www.nautinst.org/seaways Providing learning through confidential reports – an international co-operative scheme for improving safety Visit www.