MORITZ SCHULTE

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MAIB report into fatal fire published

An investigation of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) into the fire, which broke out in the engine room of the 'Moritz Schulte' in the port of Antwerp on Aug 4, 2020, found that the accident happened while discharging a cargo of ethylene, and the newly promoted engineer, who was working on an auxiliary engine fuel filter, had not effectively isolated the fuel system, and both he and an adjacent auxiliary engine?s hot exhaust were sprayed with fuel under pressure. The fuel spray penetrated the exhaust insulation and ignited. Prompt actions by the crew closed down the space to limit the spreadm but one crew member died nine days later from the effects of smoke inhalation. The investigation found that, despite the vessel having a full range of safe systems of work in place, the 3rd engineer, who had worked for the company for over five years, died while attempting an unnecessary job conducted in an unsafe way at an inappropriate time. There was no risk assessment or direct supervision. An analysis of the third engineer's training programme activity log found that only two of the 65 rank-specific tasks he was required to undertake before his promotion to 3rd engineer had been completed with the requisite evidence. The MAIB also found that the training system permitted line management to confirm that training had been completed without evidence being provided. This facilitated his promotion twice when he was not ready.

Fire on LPG tanker in Antwerp

On Aug 4, 2020, at 9.45 a.m. a fire broke out aboard the 'Moritz Schulte' which was moored at quay 383 at the Exxon Mobil Antwerp Refinery in the Industrial dock near the Esso refinery on Scheldelaan. The fire started in the engine room. The Esso company fire brigade carried out the first extinguishing works and the Antwerp Fire Brigade was also on site. One person was treated for smoke inhalation. The fire was put ouf at 11.30 a.m. It could be contained to the engine room. The fire brigade remained on site to ventilate the ship and cool the hull.