Two crew members of a Singapore registered bulk carrier ship died after a fire broke out off the coast of China on Wednesday, according to authorities.
The fire, which started in the engine room of the ship, was doused by the crew members, while another crew member received medical attention on shore.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the fire broke out on board the bulk carrier ship Mandy, which was carrying 25 Myanmar nationals.
There were no Singaporean citizens on board, the authority said.
According to the MPA, the fire broke out at about 7:35 p.m. Singapore time on Feb. 17. The crew members reacted swiftly and managed to put out the fire.
One of the crew members was injured and had to be evacuated to a medical facility onshore for further treatment. There were no further details about the extent of the injuries.
Attempts are being made to tow the ship to Yantai Port in the province of Shandong, China. According to the MPA, there have been no reports of pollution from the fire.
“MPA expresses its condolences to the families of the deceased,” the authority said, adding that it is working with the company of the ship and the Chinese authorities to provide assistance.
The Mandy is a Singapore-flagged bulk carrier, which is a type of cargo ship designed to carry unpackaged bulk cargo such as grains, coal, or ore.
Bulk carriers are known to have multinational crews, which is a reflection of the global workforce of the shipping industry. In this incident, the crew was composed entirely of Myanmar nationals.
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Singapore has a registry of ships that are registered under its flag and has been known to coordinate with foreign authorities when Singapore-registered ships are involved in incidents abroad.
The MPA said that it has been in contact with the local Chinese authorities since the fire to ensure the safety of the remaining crew and the proper handling of the ship.
The practice of using engine rooms as the point of origin for fires on board ships is a known risk.
The potential for rapid spread of fires in these areas, because of the presence of fuel, lubricants, and electrical equipment, is high.
Normal safety procedures include immediate isolation of the affected area and activation of the ship’s firefighting system, which seems to have worked in this case to contain the situation.
As per international maritime safety rules, shipboard incidents that result in loss of life are subject to investigation by the flag state country, in this case, Singapore, as well as the country in whose territorial waters the incident occurred.
The MPA has not yet indicated whether it will conduct an independent investigation or wait for the results of an investigation by Chinese authorities.
There have been reported incidents of accidents involving bulk carriers in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years, which have often led to a joint response from maritime authorities in the region.
Onboard ship fires, although a relatively rare mode of accident compared with other types of incidents, are still one of the leading causes of casualties on merchant ships.
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International safety treaties, such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), require crew training, fire detection systems, and emergency response plans to minimize the danger to personnel and the environment.
The MPA’s press release reiterated its continued support for the families of the deceased and the affected crew members.
It is normal practice for the Singaporean authorities to provide assistance in the event of maritime accidents involving their flagged ships.
Although the investigation is still underway, preliminary findings indicate that the firefighting efforts of the crew were successful in containing damage to the ship and preventing any environmental damage.
There were no reported oil spills or other dangerous leaks, according to the MPA.
The shipping line that owns the Mandy has not made any statements regarding the incident. It has been stated that cooperation with the shipping line is ongoing to assist with the welfare of the crew and the processing of the ship.
The following steps would most likely involve the engine room investigation, maintenance records, and safety regulations.
Both Singaporean and Chinese authorities could be involved to help determine the order of events and possible preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
Incidents like this at sea highlight the dangers that continue to exist for seafarers despite the latest technology and training available.
The MPA’s involvement in this incident shows the Singaporean government’s accountability for their vessels and their ability to work well with other authorities in international incidents.