Bulker Scrap Metal Fire Extinguished at Port Vancouver | Mariner News
Firefighters successfully extinguished a scrap metal fire aboard a bulker at the Port of Vancouver this week, preventing significant damage and potential environmental hazards. The swift, coordinated response by marine firefighting teams averted what could have been a catastrophic cargo hold blaze, underscoring the vital importance of robust shipping safety protocols in busy port environments.
Rapid Response by Marine Firefighting Experts
The incident unfolded Tuesday night when the Vancouver Fire Department received an alert about a cargo hold fire while the bulker loaded scrap metal. Given the technical demands of shipboard fires, specialized personnel from across the Columbia River drainage were mobilized through the Marine Fire Safety Association. Working seamlessly with the ship’s crew, first responders quickly located and extinguished the blaze within about four hours, showcasing exemplary marine firefighting expertise and inter-agency cooperation.
Addressing Scrap Metal Cargo Risks for Shipping Safety
Scrap metal cargoes pose unique shipping risks due to potential contaminants. Often, materials like oily wastes and particularly lithium-ion batteries are inadvertently mixed in. These batteries can easily ignite if damaged, leading to intense, prolonged fires that threaten vessel integrity, disrupt operations, and cause significant environmental pollution. This near-miss at the Port of Vancouver highlights ongoing challenges in bulk cargo operations, emphasizing the critical need for vigilance against such hidden dangers.
