A fire that burned for three days on a ship in Port Hedland last year was sparked after the vessel's crew, and management failed to follow safety procedures, according to federal authorities.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) on Wednesday released its findings into the blaze, which broke out in March 2021 in the lower cargo hold of the ship BBC Rhonetal while it was berthed in Port Hedland.
The ATSB found the fire started during hot work to remove fastenings from the deck ahead of cargo being unloaded from the 161-metre ship, which had sailed from China.
The fastenings were welded to the deck, meaning hot work techniques such as cutting and gouging with a plasma torch were required to remove them.
The investigation found the risk of fire had not been properly assessed by the 21-person crew before starting the hot work, and precautions were not taken to protect vulnerable cargo from catching alight.
ATSB also found that BBC Rhonetal's managers had not implemented the ship's safety management procedures to prevent a potential fire.
It was the 10th fire on a ship managed by the German-based parent company Briese Schiffahrts in 14 years and the fourth incident investigated by the ATSB, which identified similar contributing factors.
The fire was fully extinguished by Port Hedland fire crews three days later.
Firefighting personnel were then forced into COVID-19 isolation as the crew did not have permission to disembark the ship under Western Australia's pandemic laws.
Fire a 'significant concern'
ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell told the ABC the incident could have led to deaths or the ship being destroyed.
"Processes weren't followed. It was a significant concern not only for the ship but for the port as well," he said.
"[Fires] can be devastating. Ultimately they can not only put people's lives at risk, but it could lead to the loss of a ship.
"You can imagine losing a ship in Port Hedland has enormous economic consequences as well."
The company has since told the ATSB safety protocols for hot work, and crew education will be improved.
Mr Mitchell said while the plan had the potential to address safety concerns, no timeline had been provided, and the bureau would monitor the situation to ensure this was done.
"What we're really asking for from this company is some timelines around when they're going to implement the measures they've committed to."
