Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Grande-Costa-Davori

The Coast Guard’s Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis has officially published a comprehensive Report of Investigation (ROI) concerning the tragic fire aboard the 'Grande Costa d'Avorio' that led to the loss of two firefighters from the Newark Fire Department. The incident occurred while the vessel was engaged in cargo operations at Berth 18, Port Newark, New Jersey, on July 5, 2023. The fire broke out late that evening and persisted for an extended duration of five days. In response to this serious incident, the Coast Guard Northeast District Commander initiated a formal investigation to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the fire. Upon concluding their inquiry, the Coast Guard has put forth five safety recommendations, six administrative recommendations, five findings of concern (Findings of Concern 015-25 through 019-25), and a safety alert aimed at preventing future incidents. Additionally, a Commandant’s Final Action Memorandum (FAM) has been included in the report, outlining the agency's response and the actions taken regarding each recommendation. This pivotal ROI and the accompanying FAM documentation are available for public access at the following link: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Prevention-Policy-CG-5P/Inspections-Compliance-CG-5PC-/Office-of-Investigations-Casualty-Analysis/Marine-Casualty-Reports. For more detailed insights into the findings related to this incident aboard the Italian-flagged Roll-on Roll-off/Container Vessel 'Grande Costa d'Avorio' (IMO 9465382), please visit the Coast Guard's report webpage.

On April 15, 2023, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) publicly released its final findings from the tragic fire incident aboard the 'Grande Costa D'Avorio' while docked at the Port of Newark. The investigation unearthed critical details about the fire's origin, sparked by an overheated Jeep Wrangler used as a pusher vehicle by longshoremen, which ignited a blaze in the vessel's cargo bay, subsequently damaging other vehicles onboard. This ship was responsible for transporting used cars, including forklifts and non-running vehicles, from the United States to Africa. The investigation revealed that Ports America's local team was utilizing standard passenger vehicles, like the Jeep Wrangler, in applications beyond their intended design. The specific Wrangler model involved had a known overheating issue linked to a manufacturer recall, emphasizing its unsuitability for such heavy-duty tasks that far exceeded its intended operational capacity. On the incident day, the longshoreman behind the wheel of the Wrangler was on his 38th round of pushing non-running vehicles when he observed fire erupting from beneath the vehicle after a mechanical failure. The NTSB determined that the ignition of oil was a direct consequence of using an inappropriate vehicle for demanding industrial tasks. Although a fire alarm system activated, the crew faced significant challenges in containing the flames. They struggled to seal off the affected area as the Deck 12 garage door could not be closed due to a SOLAS violation. This situation led to delays in utilizing the CO2 firefighting system effectively. Despite attempts to douse the fire, actions taken by local firefighters, including unwarranted movement in and out of compartments, diluted the CO2 concentration intended to extinguish the flames. Tragically, two firefighters lost their lives after they entered the CO2-inundated area without awareness of the activated system. The NTSB highlighted a critical communication lapse, noting that local first responders were not adequately trained in marine firefighting safety, nor were they familiar with the vessel's fire control protocols. In light of the investigation, the NTSB has called for substantial changes. Their recommendations include that port authorities should educate all personnel on the hazards associated with using passenger vehicles for commercial purposes. Furthermore, they urged seaports to bolster training programs for local fire departments to ensure first responders are equipped with essential knowledge about vessel firefighting techniques and equipment. Another significant recommendation entailed revisions to the guidelines for fire door operations to ensure they are accessible from both sides. The NTSB's findings serve not only as a critical examination of the events on the 'Grande Costa D'Avorio' but also as a warning to improve safety measures across ports nationwide.

On April 15, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold a crucial public meeting to investigate the tragic fire incident aboard the 'Grande Costa D’Avorio,' which resulted in the deaths of two firefighters in Newark, New Jersey, on July 5, 2023. The fire ignited when a pusher vehicle, operated by shore workers, caught flames while loading vehicles on one of the interior garage decks. The aftermath was devastating, as two firefighters became disoriented amid the smoke and tragically lost their lives. In addition, six other emergency responders suffered injuries during the firefighting efforts. Preliminary findings from an ongoing investigation by the Coast Guard revealed that the local fire department had minimal maritime firefighting training and lacked experience or familiarity with cargo vessels, which played a significant role in the unfortunate outcome of the incident.

On April 15, 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will host a public board meeting to uncover the causes behind a tragic fire on the 'Grande Costa D’Avorio' that resulted in the deaths of two firefighters in Newark, New Jersey on July 5, 2023. The fire ignited when a shoreside-operated pusher vehicle caught flame while loading vehicles in the ship’s interior garage deck. At the time, the Grimaldi Group-operated vessel was transporting approximately 1,200 vehicles along with 157 containers, with no electric or hazardous materials onboard, as confirmed by the operator. Unfortunately, two firefighters lost their lives after becoming disoriented in thick smoke, and six other emergency responders were injured during the firefighting efforts. Preliminary findings from an ongoing U.S. Coast Guard investigation revealed that the local fire department had insufficient maritime firefighting training and lacked familiarity with cargo vessels. The Coast Guard has been investigating parallelly and has already conducted public hearings focusing on the vessel's condition, cargo loading protocols, and the initial response by the ship’s crew as well as local firefighting teams. Following the incident, the Coast Guard issued Marine Safety Alert 09-23 in November 2023, advocating for enhanced coordination in marine firefighting preparedness across the nation. Coast Guard investigators emphasized the unique challenges posed by vessel fires, stating that the skill sets and resources required exceed those typically available to land-based firefighting agencies. Additionally, language barriers between international crews and local first responders can complicate communications in the heat of emergency situations. At the upcoming meeting, the NTSB board is expected to deliberate on findings, ascertain the probable cause, and propose safety recommendations that could lead to modifications in the draft final report. Both the Coast Guard and NTSB aim to publish separate investigation reports geared towards improving maritime safety and the efficacy of first responders to avert future incidents.