TECUMSEH

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Sold to Marine Recycling Corporation in Port Colborne

NTSB report in ship fire published

The federal Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has raised concerns about firefighting capabilities at ports and harbours in the frame of the investigation of the fire aboard the 'Tecumseh' on the Detroit River in 2019. The board released a report on its investigation into the fire on Nov 15, 2022. "The board is concerned that some Canadian ports and harbour authorities may lack the proper equipment, training, and resources to respond effectively to shipboard fires occurring within their jurisdiction." The 'Tecumseh' was towed to the Port of Windsor following a fire in the engine room. After attempts to put the fire out by the crew had proved unsuccessful, a crew was called in from Texas and the fire was eventually put out. The TSB said the fire originated from the failure of a flexible fuel hose. It did identify some issues when it came to the operator of the vessel, such as the fact that the fire training manual on board was not specific to the vessel and that there was no safety management system to ensure that fuel hose assemblies on the main engines "were of adequate integrity and remained in working condition." The TSB said, the Windsor Port Authority relies on Windsor Fire and Rescue Services for fires both on shore and on board vessels but that the service wasn't trained to deal with marine fires so they remained on shore. It also said there is currently no requirement for them to take marine firefighting training. Steve Laforet, chief of Windsor Fire and Rescue services, said that he's had discussions with the harbour master and if there's an opportunity for training, it can be considered. "It's not something we could do well overnight. It would require some financial support, resources and then you've got to block away time to make sure you can train everybody to the appropriate level." The TSB also said that the Windsor Port Authority does not have a contingency plan in case of emergencies onboard vessels that are in port. Report with photos: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/2019-tecumseh-ship-fire-report-1.6652111

TSB continues investigation in fire

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is continuing to investigate the engine room fire on the 'Tecumseh' on Dec. 15, 2019, near Zug Island on the American side of the Detroit River. The ship remained berthed in Windsor. The fire caused extensive damage to the vessel. The TSB deployed a team of investigators to the Tecumseh on Dec. 17 to gather information and access the occurrence. The TSB's investigation is being led by François Dumont, who has been with the organization since 2013.