Fire Suppression Systems News

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended Tuesday that engine-room fire detection and fixed fire extinguishing systems be installed in small passenger vessels previously exempted from U.S. Coast Guard regulations in Subchapter K.The NTSB issued the recommendations after investigating an engine room fire aboard the Spirit of Norfolk during a sightseeing cruise near Naval Station Norfolk, Viriginia, on June 7, 2022, with 108 people on board. The fire was too large for the crew to fight, and the passengers and crew were evacuated to other vessels.

The Philippine Coast Guard has declared “fire out” on the ferry Esperanza Star after attending then scene when a distress call was made at 0400 on June 18. The vessel was sailing in the waters of Panglao, Bohol, with 78 passengers and 59 crew onboard when the fire broke out at the aft of the vessel. Those onboard are reported to be safe and without injury after being taken to Bohol.The vessel is operated by Kho Shipping Lines, and the company issued a statement thanking the personnel of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Bohol…

Survitec has announced a new interactive safety management solution it hopes will substantially improve onboard safety.The Safety Management and Rapid Response Technology Interface (SMARR-TI) uses a graphical monitoring interface to integrate fire detection and fire suppression systems within one system.SMARR-TI, which Survitec developed in cooperation with Turkish shipyard Tersan and Norway’s Havila Voyages, is already in operation on a pair of 15,500gt passenger ships.SMARR-TI…

Shipboard fire a constant threat: Bonhomme Richard tragedy an enduring lesson in fire prevention, responseJuly 12, 2020 was a lazy Sunday morning at Naval Base San Diego. USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), which had been commissioned only two years earlier, had recently made the base its new homeport and was docked as it underwent a maintenance availability.But, the silence of that morning was rocked by an explosion a few minutes before 9 a.m., changing everything for the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.Below the decks…

Engineers are assessing the condition of the Golden Ray wreck and salvage equipment after a fire ripped through the overturned and partially dismantled car carrier outside the Port of Brunswick, Ga. on Friday.The fire broke out on Friday afternoon aboard the Korean-owned Golden Ray, which has been aground on its side in the St. Simons Sound outside the nation's second largest car carrier port since it capsized shortly after departing the Port of Brunswick in September 2019.Firefighting…

The U.S. Coast Guard recently accepted the Birdon America's first upgraded 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (47 MLB) at the agency's National Motor Lifeboat School (NMLBS) in Ilwaco, Wash., completing the first major milestone in the MLB Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The first article vessel will undergo a four-month operational assessment by members of NMLBS.The 47 MLB is the Coast Guard's standard lifeboat, designed to weather hurricane force winds and heavy seas, capable of surviving winds up to 60 knots, breaking surf up to 20 feet and impacts up to three Gs.

Kidde Fire Systems has launched a real-time, cloud-connected remote monitoring solution for gaseous fire suppression systems. The IntelliSite system allows users to monitor the status of a portfolio of fire control units in real time across multiple locations.“With 24/7 information access, the IntelliSite system enhances safety and service levels for system end-users and can help reduce service calls, maintenance and administration costs for our valued distribution channel partners…

“The Daisy Mae is the closest you can get to Z-drive maneuverability, without the cost of Z-drive,” maintains her builder Joseph Rodriguez of Rodriguez Ship Building Inc. in Bayou LaBatre, Ala. Rodriguez has designed and built a lot of tugs over the years and doesn’t make this claim lightly. Further more he backs it up with his description of the beamy 82 by 32-foot tug that his yard delivered to Coeymans Marine Towing. This is one of the Carver group companies based at the Port of Coeymans 110 miles up the Columbia River from New York.

A primer on the way forward for alternative fuels for marine propulsion. By now, many of us have been passed by a garbage truck, taken a ride on an airport bus or hailed a taxi cab that is clearly labeled by their respective marketing departments that these vehicles are powered by clean burning natural gas. Even now in our own maritime industry, some trendy operators are looking to make the case for liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion systems, others are opting for hybrid-electric solutions, and some are even aiming for full electric configurations.

Fireboy-Xintex said it will exhibit its latest technology developments at The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), including newly released carbon monoxide alarm system as well as a new series of fire suppression systems. At IBEX, to be held October 4-6, 2016 at the Tampa Convention Center, Fireboy-Xintex is releasing its new CMD5-M Carbon Monoxide Alarm, which features an electrochemical sensor, compact design and a version that requires no external power to be fully functional.

Elcome International has established a new calibration lab and electronics component repair facility at its worldwide headquarters in Dubai. The calibration and electronics repair services are operated by Navicom Calibration LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elcome. Navicom is providing a full range of calibration and certification services for critical portable instruments and fixed systems. The operation is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 by the Dubai Accreditation Center and the quality management systems are certified by DNV GL to ISO 9001:2008.

Kidde Fire Systems  launched a new control head monitor (CHM) for electric actuators and solenoid monitors for directional valves. The new CHM is fully compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2001-2012 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems and is designed for simple installation on existing Kidde systems. According to the company, electric actuators are commonly used as activating devices for the release of a fire suppression agent in the event of a fire and the NFPA requires these devices to be in place and ready to activate.

Washington State Ferries (WSF) will start 2016 with construction of a new Olympic Class ferry, after signing a Notice to Proceed last week with shipbuilder Vigor Industrial for work on its fourth 144-vehicle ferry. Construction begins in January, with delivery scheduled for mid-2018. Along with the Tokitae, Samish and Chimacum, the fourth Olympic Class ferry is part of a series built to replace four of the state’s oldest ferries built during the 1950s and 1960s. “Our top priority is keeping the ferry system safe and reliable for the millions of commuters…

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced new requirements for the fire protection of on-deck cargo areas. The new requirements, which will be added to SOLAS regulation II-2/10, apply to all ships designed to carry containers that are constructed on or after January 1, 2016. The new regulations stipulate that new ships designed to carry containers on or above the weather deck shall be fitted with at least one water mist lance, and that ships designed to carry five or more tiers of containers on or above the weather deck must be fitted with mobile water monitors.

Metalcraft Marine's Firestorm high-speed, aluminum fireboat represents a new generation in vessel technology, especially when fitted with Sea-Fire H Series engineered fire suppression systems. Recently, four fire departments selected this combination. The City of Alexandria, Virginia now has a Firestorm 50 fitted with Sea-Fire's H Series. Captain Rodney Masser's positive prior experience with Sea-Fire led him to this decision. "Sea-Fire systems came highly recommended by the boatbuilder," said Masser. "We have been very satisfied with Sea-Fire Systems equipment and service.

A group of passengers suing Carnival cruise lines for damages after an engine fire left their ship adrift for days are asking the company to pay $5,000 a month for the rest of their lives for medical bills and mental anguish. A lawsuit brought by 33 passengers of the ill-fated 2013 voyage could change how cruise lines insulate themselves from legal actions, according to maritime legal experts. A second pending lawsuit with three-times as many plaintiffs has the potential to further undo the advantageous legal position cruise lines have long enjoyed. Both cases stem from a February 2013 incident when the Carnival Triumph broke down after launching from Galveston, Texas for what was to be a four-day cruise with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico.

Specialty lubricant provider Klüber Lubrication and perma-tec, a producer of single point automatic lubricators, have launched a new product line designed to provide customers in the marine industry with a cost effective and reliable solution for onboard equipment maintenance. The product line carries the brand name “Klübermatic” and represents a unique approach to improving marine operations. The new, collaborative effort combines specialty lubricants for a variety of applications the hardware for single point automatic lubrication of all manners of deck and machinery equipment.

Carnival Cruise Lines implements enhancements to emergency power capabilities, fire safety technology, & improved operating redundancies across its fleet. The cruise lines say that this enhancement program, is to cost more than $300 million, and rapid upgrades have already begun. The actions by Carnival Cruise Lines will expand the availability of hotel services for the comfort of its guests in the rare instance of a shipboard event that involves the loss of main power. In addition, the plan will reinforce key shipboard operating systems to further prevent a potential loss of primary power.

New Hazards, New Regulatory Concerns and New Solutions. According to global classification society DNV, as much as 50 percent of the world’s maritime fleet could be duel fuel-powered, as early as 2020. The lure of LNG is understandable – cleaner burning fuels, potentially lower maintenance costs, better efficiencies and lower fuel cost all can counted amongst the growing reasons to take the leap. But, owner/operators considering LNG to power vessels must understand the fire hazards present, the various fire protection solutions and the codes that regulate them. In the rapidly emerging LNG market, it’s important for ship owners and builders to understand just how different fire safety standards are for LNG ships versus diesel.

There are roughly 30 liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered marine vessels currently active in today’s global seas, with some estimates showing approximately 30 new builds expected by 2014. With new commitments and orders for LNG-powered ships taking place every month, the potential that LNG-powered vessels will play an important part in shaping the future of the maritime industry is no longer speculation – it is now a fact. Helping to drive the switch from diesel, steam and even…

Marioff has signed a five-year frame agreement for maintenance services with Carnival Corporation & plc. The agreement covers servicing and maintaining HI-FOG water mist fire suppression systems already installed onboard 66 cruise vessels owned by Carnival Corporation and operating under Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line N.V., Seabourn Cruise Line Ltd., Cunard Line, Carnival Australia, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruise Lines Ltd and AIDA Cruises brands. Marioff say that the five-year agreement is amongst the most extensive agreements it has ever formed, in terms of scope and duration.

Marioff has signed a five-year frame agreement for maintenance services with Carnival Corporation & plc. The agreement covers servicing and maintaining HI-FOG water mist fire suppression systems already installed onboard 66 cruise vessels owned by Carnival Corporation and operating under Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line N.V., Seabourn Cruise Line Ltd., Cunard Line, Carnival Australia, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruise Lines Ltd and AIDA Cruises brands. Marioff, a supplier of water mist fire protection technology and supplier of system solutions worldwide under the brand HI-FOG…

Independent safety supplier in the U.K., Ocean Safety, received the EC Certificate of Authorization from Lloyds Register, allowing the company to carry out all in-house certifications of gas cylinders. In accordance with the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive 2010/35EU, Ocean Safety is now authorized to pressure test many types of cylinders including composite, welded steel, seamless steel and aluminum gas. These cylinders are used in many applications within the commercial and leisure marine markets, including cruise ships, liferaft inflation and fire suppression systems.