What Crew Members Say About Altay

On June 27, the cargo hold of the 'Altay' ignited, sending toxic fumes into the air over Hull, and a recent preliminary report from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has suggested that the disastrous fire may have stemmed from an undischarged battery or another ignition source. These sparks occurred during the loading of scrap metal into the vessel. The incident uncovered gaps in safety protocols, particularly a lack of dockside inspections to identify hazardous materials within the scrap pile. The 'Altay', operated by Beyaz Denizcilik Ltd., was set to receive scrap metal from various suppliers, with the expectation that those suppliers would filter out any dangerous items, including batteries and other combustibles. While incoming deliveries in Hull were subjected to visual checks, there was no comprehensive sorting or screening process to ensure the cargo was free of hazardous impurities. The MAIB findings revealed that although the cargo had initially been classified as conventional non-hazardous scrap metal according to international maritime regulations for bulk shipping, it contained dangerous materials like batteries and oil drums, creating a substantial fire risk. Following the fire, which caused extensive damage to the structural integrity of the aft cargo hold, Griffiths Group Ltd., the operator of the loading facility at Albert Dock, ceased operations. After thorough inspections, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency permitted the 'Altay' to depart a month later for Tuzla, where necessary repairs were completed by October 19. The ship then docked in Sète on November 4. In light of this incident, Beyaz Denizcilik Ltd. has emphasized the critical need for robust cargo load monitoring and pre-loading inspections among its crew members. For a detailed report with accompanying photographs, visit: https://www.thehullstory.com/allarticles/ship-fire-investigation-report