National Transportation Safety Board Meeting to Address Roll-On/Roll-Off Vessel Fire

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will convene a public board meeting on April 15 to determine the cause of the tragic fire aboard the roll-on/roll-off vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio in Newark, New Jersey. The incident, which claimed the lives of two firefighters, occurred on July 5, 2023.

The fire started when a pusher vehicle caught fire while loading cars on the vessel’s garage deck. Two firefighters lost their lives while responding to the incident, and six additional responders sustained injuries during the operation. Preliminary findings suggest that the local fire department lacked maritime firefighting training and experience.

At the time of the fire, the vessel was carrying 1,200 vehicles and 157 containers, with no hazardous cargo onboard. The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a parallel investigation, focusing on the vessel’s condition, cargo loading procedures, and the initial response by the crew and local firefighters.

In response to the incident, the Coast Guard issued Marine Safety Alert 09-23, calling for improved coordination of marine firefighting preparations nationwide. The tragedy has underscored the need for enhanced maritime emergency response capabilities and better communication between international crews and local responders.

NTSB Meeting and Safety Recommendations

During the upcoming NTSB meeting, the board will vote on findings, probable cause, and safety recommendations. Both the Coast Guard and NTSB will issue separate investigation reports aimed at improving maritime and first-responder safety to prevent similar incidents in the future.