Safety update

This safety update is for

• Owners and operators of fishing vessels
• Maritime safety inspectors
• Ship surveyors.

Background

In February 2021, an explosion in a compartment on a fishing vessel caused severe burns to the vessel’s master.

On investigation, it was found that a contributing factor to the explosion was the use of plastic piping carrying pressurised air. This piping was close to a compressor that had leaked oil. When the oil started to burn, this melted the plastic carrying the compressed air and this caused an explosion.

Risks to safety

Operators should be aware that plastic pipes installed near potential sources of fire or heat are more likely to melt than piping composed of other materials.

Whatever is being carried by the piping may pose a risk to the master and crew if it comes into contact with other substances or sources of heat.

What you should do

Many fishing platforms carry compressors. Operators should be aware of the risk of leaking oil being exposed to a heat source, and take appropriate steps to eliminate or mitigate that risk.

If you replaced plastic piping with heat resistant metal piping, this would minimise the risk of pressurised compressed air being introduced to a flame and causing an explosion.