What Crew Members Say About Eos

A comprehensive investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has unveiled critical details regarding the fire that erupted aboard the 'Finnmaster', now renamed 'Eos', while departing from Hull on September 19, 2021. The fire caused extensive damage to the auxiliary engine room, predominantly stemming from mechanical failures linked to one of the auxiliary engines. This malfunction led to a fuel leak from a flexible hose onto a hot surface, igniting the fire. The investigation revealed that the flexible hose, which was installed during a modification, did not meet established safety standards and was improperly positioned. Moreover, it lacked the necessary approval from the classification society overseeing the vessel's safety protocols. The fire incident was exacerbated by the failure of multiple critical safety systems. Although the emergency diesel generator was set to start automatically, it was rendered ineffective due to a faulty circuit breaker. Additionally, the vessel's crew faced challenges when they activated the fixed CO2 fire-extinguishing system, which did not operate as intended due to defects in the flexible hose assembly and leaks in its pilot system. The crew’s attempt to follow established procedures for releasing carbon dioxide into the engine room was hindered by the loss of essential safety equipment. In response to the findings, the MAIB has issued 12 recommendations aimed at preventing future incidents. Among these, recommendations directed at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (TRAFICOM) call for proposed amendments to the International Maritime Organization regarding the testing protocols for emergency power sources and fire-extinguishing systems. Finnlines Plc, the operator of the vessel during the incident, has been urged to enhance its training protocols, response strategies, and defect reporting procedures. Moreover, the classification society RINA has been recommended to initiate an urgent review of the procedural requirements for maintenance service suppliers dealing with fire protection systems. The report emphasized various systemic issues, including ineffective oversight of modifications, insufficient testing regimes for emergency systems, and lapses in the oversight processes of the classification society. For a detailed account, view the full report here: https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/auxiliary-engine-room-fire-on-board-the-ro-ro-cargo-ship-finnmaster.

The ferry 'Finnmaster' encountered an engine failure during its voyage from Hull to Helsinki, which commenced on September 8, 2019, at 10:20 PM. The vessel had to halt for repairs, leading to an estimated delay of approximately 48 hours. Thankfully, all crew members, the ship, and the cargo on board have been reported safe and undamaged, aided by favorable weather conditions for repair operations. Initially, the 'Finnmaster' was scheduled to arrive in Helsinki on September 13 at 3:30 PM. However, on September 11, the tugboat 'Pegasus' (IMO: 9433743), which departed from Rotterdam on September 10 at 3:40 AM, was dispatched to tow the ferry to Frederikshavn. The 'Finnmaster' was moored off Frederikshavn at 8:40 AM on September 12, located at coordinates 57° 26.00' N, 010° 33.64' E. After completing repairs, the vessel departed its mooring in Frederikshavn on September 15, heading towards Vuosaari, with an estimated time of arrival on September 16 at noon. Additionally, the ferry 'Finnsky' was loading cargo from Helsinki to Tilbury on September 11 and could serve as a backup option to reroute any urgent shipments if necessary.

On August 31, 2017, the 'Finnmaster' encountered a significant technical malfunction shortly after setting sail from Naantali at 10:30 a.m., heading towards Oxelosund. The vessel suffered rudder damage while navigating towards the island of Haplot near Innamo. Fortunately, the crew acted swiftly to halt the ship's progress, ensuring the safety of all 19 individuals onboard, including four passengers and 15 crew members. The vessel dropped anchor in the serene waters of the Innamo Sund Strait, located in the picturesque Åboland archipelago, southwest of Turku. Later that evening, the Finnish patrol boat 'Tursas' (IMO: 1048576) arrived at the scene. As night fell, a diver conducted a thorough inspection of the damaged rudder. Thanks to the crew's efforts, the issue was resolved promptly, but it was deemed necessary for the 'Finnmaster' to proceed to Turku for additional inspections and possible repairs. The ferry lifted anchor at 3:00 a.m. and successfully docked in Turku by 4:45 a.m. After completing the necessary maintenance work, the vessel departed from the port again on September 1 at 8:30 p.m., setting sail towards Travemünde, with an expected arrival date of September 3. For more detailed coverage, you can view the Finnish report with an accompanying photo here: http://m.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/201708312200364153_u0.shtml

In a notable development within the maritime industry, Eckerö-Line has finalized the sale of two of its roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessels, Trader and Carrier, in a single transaction to the Finnish shipping company Finnlines. This strategic move reflects ongoing consolidations in the shipping sector. For more details on this acquisition, visit http://www.faehren-aktuell.de/finnlines-kauft-zwei-ro-ro-schiffe-von-eckeroe-shipping/