COORDINATED MARINE FIREFIGHTING RESPONSE—ARE WE THERE YET?

摘要

Unfortunately, the answer is "Not yet." Fighting a major vessel fire is complex and dangerous, and the strategies and tactics employed differ from a shoreside incident. The response invariably goes beyond just fire extinguishment, and could, for example, include vessel stability calculations, structural analysis, and cargo lightering in order to put out the fire but also to prevent the sinking of the vessel. The full spectrum of marine salvage response may have to be brought to bear to prevent the total loss of a vessel with the resultant environmental and commercial impact. After all, the response to a vessel on fire is a salvage response which is well governed by the legal framework of the International Salvage Convention, which requires the salvor to use its best endeavors to salve ship, cargo and protect the environment. However, a vessel on fire at a pier, where the local shore based fire department is mandated to protect the neighboring community, creates a unique set of conflicting and challenging issues.