Containerships With another containership adrift on fire and the finger again pointed at calcium hypochlorite, the time is ripe for an examination of fire prevention and suppression systems on such vessels. DNV has been doing some research. The fire aboard the containership Sea Elegance off Durban last month is just the latest in a growing list of casualties involving such ships arising from explosions and fires in containers stowed on deck or in holds. Early indications, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), suggest that the initial explosion in Sea Elegance's hold took place in a container stuffed with undeclared calcium hypochlorite which, as a result of non-declaration, was stowed in an improper location. The fire appears to have spread rapidly, largely as a result of flammable liquids - again undeclared - in an adjacent box.
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