For quick and effective firefighting, it is important that all crew members know where electrical breakers are located for each area. A recent Mars Report describes a fire on board a vessel after the capacitor of a fluorescent light overheated.

A summary of what happened:

While at anchor the vessel’s fire alarm sounded on one of the lower decks. The officer of the watch sent the duty seaman down to investigate. The crew member found a deck-head fluorescent light releasing smoke. The appropriate circuit breakers were closed and the light was smothered, extinguishing the nascent fire.

The company investigation found that a poor quality capacitor had overheated and caused the fire.

Advice from The Nautical Institute

The location of electrical breakers should be included on a vessel’s familiarisation routine to allow for quick and effective firefighting.

Mars Reports

This accident was covered in the Mars Reports, originally published as Mars 201968, that are part of Report Number 325. A selection of this Report has also been published in SWZ|Maritime’s December issue. The Nautical Institute compiles these reports to help prevent maritime accidents. That is why they are also published on SWZ|Maritime’s website.

More reports are needed to keep the scheme interesting and informative. All reports are read only by the Mars coordinator and are treated in the strictest confidence. To submit a report, please use the Mars report form.