Call for Enhanced Safety Systems on Kodiak Enterprise Following Fire Incident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that a six-day fire on the Kodiak Enterprise, a commercial fishing vessel docked in Tacoma, Washington, was exacerbated by inadequate fire reporting, leading to a delay in alerting the crew. The blaze broke out in the dry storage room on April 8, 2023, resulting in the ship being declared a total loss of $56.6 million. All four crew members escaped unharmed, but the severity of the fire was attributed to the ship’s inadequate fire detection system and reporting mechanisms.

Despite having a fire detection system in place, the NTSB found that it failed to send alerts during the fire, posing a risk to the crew and worsening the damage. The cause of the fire could not be pinpointed due to extensive destruction, but investigators suspect it may have been triggered by an unknown power source in the storage room. The report emphasized the importance of wireless monitoring systems for docked ships and recommended regular testing to ensure timely alerts.

The report also raised concerns about crew members not being listed as designated contacts for immediate notification in case of a fire, with only two shore contacts being notified. It suggested including all crew members living on board in the notification system to improve safety protocols. The NTSB report highlighted the need for proper fire detection and alert systems on ships, especially during maintenance or repair work that could potentially trigger false alarms.

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