93005 Tanker Explosion and Fire

Tanker Explosion and Fire
- Mediterranean.
- Report No. 93005.

This report concerns an explosion and fire on board a tanker which completely destroyed the navigation bridge, crew quarters, galley and poop deck. At the time the tanker was discharging gasoline and the sequence of events was as follows:

1500. An explosion occurred in the after part of the vessel. Fire broke out at the same time.
1505. All ship and shore discharge operations stopped. Shore assistance requested.
1510. Master reported many injuries on board, medical assistance requested. Two small tugs ordered to proceed to the vessel immediately. Port and local authorities advised.
1706. Master and crew abandoned the vessel. Fire spreading to vicinity of pump room.
1806. Vessel boarded by shore team, attempts to disconnect cargo hose failed due to intensity of fire. Port holes and access to pump room battened down.
1842. Shore party reboarded vessel and managed to disconnect cargo hose and lower it to the water. Fire in pump room extinguished.
2005. Forward mooring wire let go. All synthetic moorings aft parted due to blazing fire on poop deck. Attempts to extinguish fires in accommodation and engine room failed.
2015. Master and Chief Officer reboarded vessel with fire-fighting crews.
2045. Fire under control and danger of spreading to remaining cargo restricted.

The following morning it was established that several crew members had lost their lives and several more were injured, and that the engine room was also completely burnt out.

The explosion was attributed to gasoline fumes seeping through the seals of the two starboard cargo and one stripping pump shaft into the engine room. These fumes sucked by the starboard cargo engine (its lever left in the ON position) must have developed high pressure in the cylinder causing the safety valve to crack open and ignite the flammable gases in the engine room.