Discover the Ocean-Drover: Ratings & Maritime News

On October 9, 2014, a devastating fire erupted aboard the MV Ocean Drover while docked in Fremantle, resulting in extensive damage and prompting an investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). The incident left the vessel with severe impairments, making it impossible to determine the exact cause of the blaze. The fire spread rapidly across two decks, taking an entire day to extinguish, and injuring four of the ship's 50 crew members—one of whom had to be hospitalized due to smoke inhalation and burns. According to the ATSB's recent report, the fire originated in a centrally located forward cabin on the upper deck as crew members prepared for cattle loading. The situation was exacerbated by the cabin door being left ajar, allowing flames and smoke to infiltrate adjacent areas. Compounding the crisis, the fire door in the bridge deck stairwell was propped open, facilitating the fire's spread throughout the upper and bridge decks, with temperatures reportedly soaring above 1100°C at the peak of the incident. The sheer intensity of the blaze and the resulting destruction rendered it impossible for investigators to pinpoint the precise origin or ignition source. The ATSB emphasized the critical importance of containing shipboard fires at their origin and maintaining the integrity of fire doors to mitigate disasters. Notably, no evidence suggested that an electrical malfunction or appliance was to blame, and while cigarette smoking was ruled out as a direct cause, the investigation highlighted deficiencies in the management of the ship's smoking policy. Following repairs to the Ocean Drover, the ship's management took immediate corrective measures, which included the installation of smoke detectors in all accommodation cabins and replacing the bridge deck stairwell fire door with one that could not be held open. Moreover, the smoking policy was reviewed, leading to smoking being limited to designated areas onboard. These actions underscore a commitment to enhancing safety protocols and preventing future incidents.

In a concerning incident on 9 October 2014, the livestock carrier Ocean Drover was engulfed in flames while docked in Fremantle, preparing to load livestock. The fire ignited in the crew accommodation area and rapidly escalated, prompting an immediate response from both the ship's crew and several emergency teams from the port. Efforts to contain the blaze continued throughout the day, ultimately resulting in four crew members experiencing smoke inhalation, with one individual requiring hospitalization due to severe smoke inhalation and burns. By the time the fire was brought under control the following morning, substantial damage had been inflicted on the accommodation areas and the navigation bridge of the vessel. Preliminary investigations conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in conjunction with the Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) suggest that the fire originated in one of the central forward cabins located on the upper deck and swiftly spread to engulf both the upper deck and the bridge deck above. For further details, refer to the official report: http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/5189966/mo2014012-prelim.pdf

Following a fire incident that left the 'Ocean Drover' damaged while docked in Fremantle, the vessel has officially set sail for repairs. On November 9, the Singapore-flagged tug 'Pacific Rigger', with a gross tonnage of 1864 (IMO: 9246437), took the damaged cattle carrier in tow, aided by the local tugs 'Svitzer Harrier' and 'Svitzer Albatross'. The towing operation is headed towards a repair yard in Singapore, with an estimated arrival date of November 25. Preparations for the repair work are well underway, including the procurement of necessary spare parts and the removal of compromised infrastructure from the ship. Such proactive measures are expected to significantly reduce the time needed to restore the vessel's accommodation and bridge sections upon reaching Singapore. The repair operation is projected to last around 10 weeks, during which the crew will not only mend the damage but also implement upgrades to elevate the vessel to higher safety standards alongside completing other scheduled maintenance tasks.