The Stena-Europe: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published an extensive report detailing the engine room fire incident aboard the 'Stena Europe' that occurred on February 11, 2023, at 9:15 PM while navigating from Rosslare to Fishguard. This incident led to considerable damage within the engine room, though fortunately, there were no injuries reported and environmental impact was avoided. The crew efficiently extinguished the blaze. The root cause of the fire was identified as an uncontrolled release of pressurized fuel, which sprayed onto an exposed exhaust manifold that was running at temperatures exceeding 220°C. This occurred due to a loose screw in a two-screw flange within the fuel oil pipework. The lack of adequate protection, such as anti-splashing tape or shielding at the joint, allowed the fuel to escape, leading to the hazardous situation. Investigators noted that the external fuel system modifications recommended by the engine manufacturer were only installed on one of the four main engines. Critical opportunities to apply these modifications to the remaining engines were overlooked, maintaining a high risk of fuel leaks. Additionally, the insulation and shielding on all engines were found to be in disrepair or completely absent, likely due to the aging of the vessel, resulting in inadequate protection of machinery in the engine room. A routine temperature check practice employed by Stena, using an infrared thermometer, failed to detect significant hazards posed by the high temperatures of exposed surfaces. Onboard personnel responsible for inspecting the fuel systems lacked sufficient awareness and the planned maintenance system did not provide adequate guidance on fuel leak issues. The report highlights a gap in Stena’s Safety Management System (SMS) as it did not address the need for defect reporting in relation to recurring leaks, nor did it connect the dots between prior fires in the fleet and the ongoing issue with fuel leaks on the Stena Europe. This lack of awareness resulted in missed opportunities to implement recommended upgrades to the fuel system. Other safety matters arose from this incident, including a reevaluation of compliance with MSC.1/Circular.1321 regarding high surface temperatures. Recommendations included the adoption of thermographic equipment for better identification of hot spots and a review of entry protocols to the engine room for crew safety. In response to this incident, on February 13, 2023, Stena Line Ltd. issued a fleetwide safety flash to emphasize the importance of assessing hot spots and thoroughly assessing the risks of maintenance that could lead to oil spillage. The company is now encouraging regular use of thermal imaging cameras for monitoring machinery spaces and has made modifications to the external fuel piping on ME3. They have also repaired insulation around the external fuel systems and installed anti-splashing tape across all joints in low-pressure fuel systems on Stena Europe’s operational engines. Furthermore, on June 7, 2023, Stena contracted a third-party organization to conduct a SOLAS compliance verification thermographic survey after the reentry of ME3 into operation on May 17, and initiated a review of its SMS including a process for managing service bulletins and technical instructions from main and auxiliary engine manufacturers across its fleet. For the complete report, please visit: https://safety4sea.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/UK-MAIB-Stena-Europe-Engine-Room-Fire-2024_12.pdf

A shocking incident unfolded aboard the ferry 'Stena Europe' last week when a heated altercation between two crew members resulted in a stabbing. The vessel was on the verge of departing for Rosslare Europort when tensions escalated between two employees on the vehicle deck. After a confrontation, one crew member retreated to his cabin, returning with a screwdriver and a knife. In a sudden outburst, the assailant hurled the spanner at his colleague, reportedly from Dublin, before pursuing him and inflicting stab wounds to his back and a slash to his chin. Fellow crew members quickly intervened to separate the two, at which point local authorities were alerted, and emergency services were dispatched. One individual was taken into custody by the British police, while the injured man was transported to the hospital for treatment. As a result of the incident, the ferry's departure was delayed as investigations ensued.

The highly anticipated return of the 'Stena Europe' to the Fishguard-Rosslare route has been postponed due to unexpected complications. This ferry, which has been undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment and life extension project in Turkey since March, was initially scheduled to arrive at Fishguard Port in June. However, Stena Line disclosed that unforeseen challenges have pushed back its timeline, necessitating the continued operation of the smaller 'Stena Nordica' as a substitute vessel on the Fishguard to Rosslare route. After a brief layover at Liverpool's Cammell Laird dockyard en route from Gibraltar for additional work, the 'Stena Europe' made its presence felt upon arriving in Fishguard on the morning of September 30. Unfortunately, a last-minute technical issue has prevented the ferry from resuming service immediately, leaving passengers and freight operators awaiting further updates.