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quote:Plastic In Balconies Suspected In Cruise Ship FireApril 28, 2006Investigators looking into March 23 fire aboard one of Carnival Corp.’s Princess cruise ships have determined that combustibles material in the ship’s balconies was a leading factor in the fatal incident. The fire occurred while the Star Princess was enroute to Montego Bay, Jamaica after leaving Grand Cayman. It spread quickly and eventually claimed the life of one passenger and resulted in the injury of 13 others. The investigation, conducted by Britain’s Marine Accident Investigation Board, could not determine a cause but has concluded that combustible plastic material in the ship’s balconies facilitated the spread of the fire and fueled a pall of thick black smoke that slowed down the evacuation of passengers. Princess Cruises have taken measures, following BMAC recommendations, to prevent such tragedies in the future. The cruise line has implemented round-the-clock fire watches and is removing flammable materials from the balconies of their ships. FinancialWire
Investigators looking into March 23 fire aboard one of Carnival Corp.’s Princess cruise ships have determined that combustibles material in the ship’s balconies was a leading factor in the fatal incident.
The fire occurred while the Star Princess was enroute to Montego Bay, Jamaica after leaving Grand Cayman. It spread quickly and eventually claimed the life of one passenger and resulted in the injury of 13 others.
The investigation, conducted by Britain’s Marine Accident Investigation Board, could not determine a cause but has concluded that combustible plastic material in the ship’s balconies facilitated the spread of the fire and fueled a pall of thick black smoke that slowed down the evacuation of passengers.
Princess Cruises have taken measures, following BMAC recommendations, to prevent such tragedies in the future. The cruise line has implemented round-the-clock fire watches and is removing flammable materials from the balconies of their ships.
FinancialWire
But I also read a Safety Study that they had published, into lifeboat launching systems. It seems that MAIB had become alarmed at the number of seafarers being injured and killed during training, drills, etc, involving lifeboats. Between 1989 and 2001, and for the ships for which MAIB have a responsibility, 12 seafarers were killed, and 87 injured, as a result of lifeboat mishaps during drills, exercises, tests and training exercises. Yet in the same period there was no reported instance of a ship's lifeboat being used to save a life - again, in the ships covered by MAIB's remit.
Interesting reading.
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