EOS

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Report into fire off Hull published

The fire that broke out aboard the 'Finnmaster', now sailing as ' Eos', during its departure from Hull on Sep 19, 2021, resulted in significant damage to the auxiliary engine room, according to an investigation report from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). The report detailed how the fire started when mechanical failures on one of the auxiliary engines caused fuel to leak from a flexible hose onto a hot surface where it ignited. The flexible hose installed in the fuel system during a modification did not meet the required standard, was fitted in an inappropriate position, and had not been subject to approval or oversight by the responsible classification society. Multiple critical safety systems failed. The emergency diesel generator started automatically, but could not supply power due to a faulty circuit breaker. Additionally, when crew activated the fixed CO2 fire-extinguishing system, it failed to fully operate due to a defective flexible hose assembly and leaks in the pilot system. The investigation highlighted that the crew’s response to the fire did not follow accepted procedures for the release of carbon dioxide into the engine room, and was further hampered by the loss of critical safety equipment. The MAIB has issued a total of 12 recommendations, including several to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (TRAFICOM) to propose amendments to the International Maritime Organization regarding testing of emergency power sources and fire-extinguishing systems. Finnlines Plc, the vessel’s operator at the time of the fire, has been recommended to revise and update its training, response and defect reporting procedures. RINA, the responsible classification society, received recommendations to propose an urgent review into procedural requirements for service suppliers conducting maintenance of fire protection systems. The report drew attention to multiple underlying issues, including ineffective monitoring of modifications, inadequate testing regimes for emergency systems, and failures in classification society oversight processes. Full report: https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/auxiliary-engine-room-fire-on-board-the-ro-ro-cargo-ship-finnmaster

Ferry under tow to Frederikshavn

The "Finnmaster" has suffered an engine malfunction on its voyage from Hull to Helsinki which started on Sep 8, 2019, at 10.20 p.m. The vessel stopped for repair activities, and the operator estimated an initial delay of abt 48 hours. The crew, the vessel and all cargo on board have been reported safe and without damages. The repair activities were facilitated by the good weather forecast. The "Finnmaster" was initially expected in Helsinki on Sep 13 at 3:30 p.m. On Sep 11, however, the tug "Pegasus" (IMO: 9433743) which was called from Rotterdam on Sep 10 at 32.40 a.m., had taken the ship in tow to Frederikshavn. The casualty was moored off Frederikshavn on Sep 12 at 8.40 a.m. in pos. 57° 26.00' N 010° 33.64' E. On Sep 15 the ship has left the mooing off Frederikshavn and headed to Vuosaari, ETA Sep 16 at noon. The "Finnsky", loading from Helsinki to Tilbury on Sep 11, could be used as backup in case any urgent cargo needed to be re-routed.

Rudder trouble in Åboland archipelago

In the afternoon of Aug 31, 2017, the "Finnmaster" encountered technical problems after having left the port of Naantali at 10.30 a.m. bound to Oxelosund. The vessel was heading towards the island of Haplot north of Innamo following a rudder damage, but the crew managed to stop the ship on time, and none of the four passengers or 15 crew members were in danger. She dropped anchor in the Innamo Sund Strait, southwest of Turku, in the Åboland archipelago. The Finnish patrol boat "Tursas" (IMO: 1048576) was on site in the evening. A diver surveyed the rudder in the night hours. The crew managed to fix the problem, but the vessel was ordered to sail to Turku for further inspections and repairs in case needed. The ferry heaved anchor at 3 a.m. and berthed in Turku at 4.45 a.m. She left the port again after inspection and repairs inon Sep 1 at 8.30 p.m., bound to Travemünde, ETA Sep 3. Finnish report with photo: http://m.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/201708312200364153_u0.shtml