Vol. 504 No. 6
10 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason for the fire on board Stena Line's high speed catamaran on 3 May 1999; and the result of the investigation into the collision of this vessel with a dolphin mooring buoy at Dun Laoghaire on 4 March 1999. [12358/99]
31 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the investigation, if any, held into the circumstances surrounding the recent fire on the Stena HSS as it neared Dun Laoghaire Harbour; the outcome of this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12418/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 31 together.
On 3 May 1999 a fire occurred on the Stena Line HSS vessel as it approached Dun Laoghaire from Holyhead. I am advised that the fire occurred in the firetight enclosure enclosing one of the vessel's gas turbine engines for the ship's propulsion. The engine unit's alarm system detected the fire immediately, shut down the engine and the crew operated the fire extinguisher system within the compartment. I am informed that, as the vessel was close to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, the master of the vessel decided not to open the compartment until the vessel was alongside the pier and the fire brigade was in attendance. As a precaution, the master mustered all the passengers and evacuated them using the normal foot exits as soon as the vessel was alongside the pier.
The marine survey office of my Department was notified immediately of the incident and the deputy chief surveyor from that office boarded the vessel as soon as it was alongside the pier to commence an initial investigation into the cause of the fire. I understand from the deputy chief surveyor that this initial investigation found that a small fire had occurred in the lagging surrounding the engine. All the other engines were inspected and found to be in apparent good order and condition. Following this inspection and after receiving assurances from the fire brigade that the fire was fully extinguished the deputy chief surveyor was satisfied that it was safe for the vessel to return to service, albeit on three engines only.
The marine survey office is also carrying out an investigation into the incident involving the Stena Line HSS on 4 March 1999 which occurred when the vessel was backing into its berth in Dun Laoghaire in strong north-west by north winds. While the report on this investigation has yet to be completed, I am advised by the chief surveyor of the marine survey office that the vessel collided with a mooring dolphin as a result of which the vessel was holed above the waterline and at water level causing partial flooding of one compartment. An immediate and full inspection of the damage to the vessel was carried out by officials from the marine survey office and temporary repairs were effected to ensure it was safe for the vessel to proceed to a repair port in the United Kingdom.
While I am assured that the safety of passengers on board the vessel was not endangered during either incident and that the response to both has been handled professionally by the company and the marine survey office, I am nevertheless concerned that the incidents occurred. It is my objective, in partnership with the company and the regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom where the vessel is registered, to ensure any lessons to be learned are implemented with a view to preventing a recurrence.
Within a space of two months the ferry hit a specially designed fender and there was a fire on board when it was 20 minutes off Dun Laoghaire. While inquiries have been initiated, incidents such as these diminish public confidence in the operation of ferries. There is a need for reassurance.
It is important that the public is reassured. That is the reason I ordered immediate investigations. We are in communication with the company in connection with both incidents. The accidents were unusual. The fire was well contained and action was taken swiftly. The normal procedures were followed. Everything that should have been done was done. The vessel was held until we were satisfied that it was safe for it to sail again. In the second incident, the vessel was damaged when it hit a mooring dolphin in strong winds. This was unexpected but the lessons have been learned.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I congratulate Deputy Coveney on his election. Is the Minister satisfied that the training provided by companies and local authorities is adequate to allow staff cope with fires on passenger and commercial vessels in harbours?
In both incidents normal procedures were followed. While regular training courses are provided by ferry operators, I accept the Deputy's point that it is important that staff have the competence to cope, given the large numbers of passengers now being carried. I will renew my warnings. The Irish Marine Emergency Service, IMES, has recently reached agreement with the fire service that specially trained fire fighters may be brought on board by helicopter. If the vessel in question had been farther out, they would have been flown in immediately.
