Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Kokopo-Chief

The vessel has been successfully sold to breakers in Alang for a price of $485 per ton. This transaction marks another significant move in the maritime industry, reflecting ongoing trends in ship recycling and the demand for scrap materials.

A recent report from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has revealed that a fire in the cargo hold of the "Kokopo Chief" was ignited by heat emitted from an incandescent reflector lamp. The incident occurred while the vessel was in the process of loading containers and general cargo at Port of Tauranga on September 23, 2017. The number 4 cargo hold was filled with layers of packaged timber, after which the hatch lid was securely closed, and containers were placed on top. By approximately 11:30 p.m., the loading operations concluded, prompting the crew to prepare for a scheduled departure early the following morning. Just before midnight, the smoke-detection system on board activated, alerting the crew to a fire that had erupted in the number 4 cargo hold. The crew swiftly initiated their fire response plan by deploying the ship’s fixed carbon dioxide (CO2) fire-extinguishing system, which involved sealing the cargo hold and releasing liquid CO2 to suppress the flames. In response, the master of the vessel contacted harbour control, initiating assistance from the local fire service, which collaborated with the crew to establish a cohesive fire command and control operation. The fire control team monitored the temperatures surrounding the cargo hold, indicating effective suppression by the CO2 gas. As a precaution, it was decided to unload the containers above the hatch and cautiously open one of the lids. Nevertheless, smoke was observed escaping from beneath the hatch, necessitating its immediate closure and subsequent release of any remaining liquid CO2 into the hold. After several hours of monitoring, the temperatures in the hold began to decline, allowing for the safe removal of the hatch lid. Inspections revealed no obvious signs of active fire, leading to the unloading of the timber packs and addressing remaining hot spots.” The TAIC's investigation concluded that the fire originated from the incandescent reflector lamp, which had ignited timber stowed too closely. Alarmingly, the cargo hold lights had not been turned off after loading, contributing to the incident. Although the CO2 fire-extinguishing system was effective in curtailing the fire, the report suggested it could have been extinguished more rapidly had the hatch not been opened prematurely. The Commission identified several critical safety issues, including deficiencies in the operator’s safety management system, which had not adequately mitigated the risk of fire from cargo hold lighting, even after a prior similar incident. It also noted unclear documentation regarding the roles of various responding authorities and insufficient training standards from Fire and Emergency New Zealand concerning shipboard fire response. To address these safety concerns, the operator has implemented multiple corrective measures. Moreover, the TAIC has made recommendations to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and engaged with the International Association of Classification Societies and the International Group of P&I Clubs to share the lessons learned from this incident with the global maritime community.

On September 24th at approximately 1 a.m., a fire incident involving the cargo ship "Kokopo Chief" occurred in the port of Tauranga. Swift actions by Fire and Emergency NZ led to the successful extinguishment of the flames, allowing recovery efforts to commence shortly thereafter. A staggering response team comprised of 16 fire trucks and over 70 dedicated firefighters was dispatched to the scene to tackle the situation. Upon arrival and after opening the cargo hold, crews discovered that the blaze had already been contained, affecting only the top layer of timber stacked up to 30 meters high within the hold. Collaboration between firefighters and stevedores is critical as they work to remove the charred timber from the vessel's hold. A fire investigator is also present to assess the situation, noting that the ship's CO2 suppression system appeared to function effectively during the incident. As the day progressed, Fire and Emergency NZ scaled back its operations, with only two fire trucks remaining on-site by the afternoon. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential hazards associated with maritime cargo operations but highlights the efficient response of emergency services in ensuring safety.

In the early hours of September 24, 2017, at approximately 1 a.m., a substantial fire erupted in one of the cargo holds of the 'Kokopo Chief', which was docked at Tauranga Port. The fire escalated rapidly after high temperatures triggered an alarm. A brave team of 70 firefighters, supported by nine fire engines, responded to the emergency. Fortunately, the blaze did not spread to two other holds on the vessel. The ship's CO2 suppression system was promptly activated to combat the growing flames. Due to the seriousness of the situation, additional firefighting crews from as far away as Rotorua were summoned to assist. At the time, the 'Kokopo Chief' was transporting 650 tonnes of dressed timber. Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus were cautiously working to access an adjacent vessel to assess the potential for heat transfer, ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.