The NTSB Releases Findings on the Grande Costa D’Avorio Fire Incident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recently disclosed its findings on the tragic July 2023 fire that occurred aboard the roll-on/roll-off container vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio at Port Newark. This incident resulted in the unfortunate loss of two firefighter lives and extensive damage amounting to over $23 million to the vessel.

According to the investigation report, the fire originated from the overheating and subsequent ignition of transmission fluid from a modified passenger vehicle employed as a “pusher” during loading operations. The NTSB concluded that the decision by Ports America to utilize a passenger vehicle for industrial tasks was inappropriate, failing to meet the safety standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for powered industrial trucks.

Furthermore, critical design flaws on the vessel exacerbated the situation. The absence of external operating controls for the hydraulic garage door on deck 12 of the vessel hindered crew members from effectively sealing off the fire zone, rendering the carbon dioxide fire suppression system ineffective.

The response from the Newark Fire Division during the incident revealed significant gaps in marine firefighting preparedness. Firefighters were directed to enter areas where the CO2 system had been activated, contrary to established marine firefighting protocols. This, combined with the lack of specialized vessel firefighting training within the department, led to the escalation of the fire and the tragic loss of two firefighters who became disoriented in the smoke-filled environment.

NTSB Recommendations and Responses

In light of these findings, the NTSB has issued comprehensive recommendations to various entities. The US Coast Guard has been tasked with proposing enhancements to international maritime safety regulations concerning fire boundary controls, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is required to enforce stricter compliance with powered industrial truck requirements at marine terminals.

Port authorities and fire departments nationwide are urged to enhance coordination and develop specialized marine firefighting training and vessel familiarization programs. Grimaldi Deep Sea, the vessel’s owner, must conduct fleet-wide assessments of fire boundary controls and implement necessary modifications. Port operators Ports America and American Maritime Services are mandated to formulate comprehensive emergency procedures and training programs for shoreside personnel.

The NTSB emphasized the importance of proactive coordination between ports and local municipalities to enhance vessel firefighting response preparedness and training for better safety outcomes.

Conclusion

The findings of the investigation underscore the critical significance of proper equipment selection, robust safety controls, and specialized training in maritime operations. The NTSB’s recommendations seek to address systemic issues in marine firefighting response and port safety procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

For more details on the NTSB’s findings, you can access the full report here. The final report will be available on the NTSB’s website in the coming weeks.