What Crew Members Say About Mpv-Everest

A comprehensive investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has shed light on the significant fire incident aboard the MPV Everest, an Antarctic supply vessel, which occurred on April 5, 2021. The ATSB's final report, published on November 24, 2023, highlights that technical malfunctions alongside inadequate watchkeeping practices greatly exacerbated the fire's severity. At the time of the incident, the vessel was en route from Antarctica to Hobart, carrying hundreds of personnel when flames erupted in the port side engine room. The blaze was successfully contained after approximately two hours, but it was reported that fire could be seen piercing through a vent on the deck. Thankfully, no injuries were reported; however, the fire inflicted considerable damage to the power generation and machinery within the port engine room, reducing the operational capacity from six to just two diesel generators. The ATSB's two-year investigation revealed several underlying issues that contributed to the fire incident, including the design of the ship's integrated automation system, crew fatigue, and other factors related to the ship itself. Initial findings indicate that the fire ignited when fuel oil overflowed into the engine room, subsequently making contact with either a hot surface or an electrostatic discharge. Furthermore, the report indicated that the Bureau Veritas, the ship's classification society, had erroneously approved the air vent pipe for the fuel oil settling tank to be located within the engine room's exhaust ventilation casing. While the air pipe was not intended for fuel egress, the incident illustrated how such a design could lead to hazardous outcomes, conflicting with international regulations that dictate that fuel oil tank air pipes should discharge to a secure position on the open deck. Moreover, the report identified seven additional safety issues, although these did not directly result in the fire. One of the more critical observations highlighted that Fox Offshore, the management company of MPV Everest, failed to ensure that the ship was sufficiently manned, equipped, and prepared to handle the specific hazards and challenges encountered in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. It was noted that the ship's safety management system lacked maturity and effective implementation on board. In response to these findings, the Australian Antarctic Division has undergone an independent review, leading to various enhancements in operational processes. For more detailed information, including photos, check out the full report at 9news: https://www.9news.com.au/national/antarctic-supply-ship-mpv-everest-australian-transport-safety-bureau-hands-down-findings-into-ship-fire/973375d3-2222-4aee-9124-5bc66830204d.

A recent preliminary investigation into the fire that severely affected the 'MPV Everest' has revealed concerning details regarding the incident. The blaze erupted in the port side engine room on April 5 while the vessel was navigating the Southern Ocean, leading to significant damage. After the fire, the ship managed to reach Fremantle on April 13 using auxiliary power, carrying 70 expeditioners and 37 crew members. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released its findings on May 19, highlighting that crew members noticed fuel oil dripping into the engine room from an overhead exhaust vent casing soon after the fire was extinguished. Recordings from the ship's integrated automation system indicated that a routine operation to refill the fuel oil settling tank commenced around 9:25 a.m., with evidence suggesting that the tank may have overflowed shortly after 10:30 a.m. The fire, first noticed by the ship's master at approximately 11 a.m., resulted in large flames emanating from the engine room's exhaust casing, leading to the destruction of two inflatable boats on board. The ATSB's ongoing investigation is focused on understanding the operation of the fuel oil transfer system, the functionality of the ship's firefighting equipment, and the effectiveness of emergency responses and shipboard communications during the incident. A comprehensive final report will be published upon completion of the investigation. Notably, the 'MPV Everest' departed Fremantle again on May 3, continuing its journey to Singapore.

On April 13, the icebreaker MPV Everest docked in Fremantle following a challenging journey marked by an onboard fire. The vessel, which was around five days into a planned two-week voyage from the Southern Ocean, encountered a blaze in its port engine room. This unfortunate incident resulted in the destruction of two inflatable rubber boats that were stored on deck, but thankfully, no injuries were reported among the 109 individuals onboard, which included approximately 70 expeditioners. Initially scheduled to arrive in Hobart, the icebreaker was redirected to Fremantle, a closer port, as it continued its journey using only the starboard engine. For more details and photos, visit: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-13/antarctic-supply-ship-mpv-everest-limps-into-wa-port-after-fire/100066802.