Hui Feng general cargo ship fire occurrence off the coast of Kaohsiung Port on June 12, 2024.
Description
On June 12, 2024, at approximately 0812 hours, a Taiwan-registered general cargo ship named "Hui Feng," carrying 12 crew members, experienced an explosion and fire at 17 nautical miles off the southern breakwater of the first entrance of Kaohsiung Port. Due to the fire being out of control, the captain ordered to abandon the ship. The occurrence resulted in three injuries that were sent to the hospital. The fire destroyed parts of the engine room, accommodation, and the bridge of Hui Feng.
Stage
At about 0745 hours on June 12, 2024, a Taiwan-flagged general cargo ship “HUI FENG”, official number 013083, with a gross tonnage 499, caught fire about 17.1 nautical miles southwest of the Port of Kaohsiung. The vessel’s wheelhouse, accommodation space, lifeboat deck, and engine room were severely fire-damaged. Three crew members sustained injuries. No environmental pollution resulted from the occurrence.
Conclusions
-
- The fire on the HUI FENG lasted for an extended period, severely damaging the vessel’s wheelhouse, accommodation spaces, and other areas. Additionally, no surveillance footage was available, resulting in a lack of clear evidence to determine the exact origin and cause of the fire. After examining and analyzing the available evidence, the wheelhouse, engine room, galley, and mess room were ruled out as potential locations for the fire. The fire is suspected to have originated in a crew cabin on the accommodation deck. An electrical cause of the fire could not be ruled out.
-
- Fire detection systems were not installed in the accommodation of HUI FENG. Consequently, the crew was unable to detect the fire in its early stages, losing the opportunity for timely extinguishment.
-
- According to the Regulations for Ship Equipment, it was not required to be equipped with a fire detection system on HUI FENG.
- Three crew members sustained injuries. They were conscious and able to move on their own during the rescue. After receiving hospital treatment for several days, they returned home to recover and have since fully recovered.
Download
