Transport Systems Ships

Aim To familiarise students with the construction, hazards and risks associated with shipping incidents

Learning Outcomes At the end of the session students will be able to state: The more common types of shipping using the River Humber The principal construction features of a ship The fixed fire-fighting systems found on ships The hazards and risks associated with shipping incidents.

Container Ships.

Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC).

Bulk Car Carriers.

Ferries.

Construction Features All ships have decks although these are named differently according to the vessel type Cargo Generally decks are named as; shelter deck, tween deck, lower hold

Construction Features All ships have decks although these are named differently according to the vessel type Passenger Decks may be named, eg. promenade, sunlight etc. but new SOLAS regulations require decks to be numbered fro keel up.

Construction Features All ships have decks although these are named differently according to the vessel type Royal Navy Numbered from weather deck down; 1, 2, 3 etc. and superstructure from weather deck up; 01, 02, 03 etc.

Construction Features Ships are compartmented by the use of bulkheads, of which there are three types; Tranverse (Run across the ship) Longitudinal (Run the length of the ship) Watertight (Usually across the ship) Note: Watertight bulkheads have watertight doors which can be closed remotely.

Machinery Spaces.

Machinery Spaces All modern ships have machinery spaces at different locations around the vessel; Engine room Steerage Auxiliary plant (fire pumps, generators, etc) Firefighters must be aware that machinery may be still operating or start automatically.

Machinery Spaces A shaft tunnel runs from the engine room aft and contains the propeller shaft May be used for storage of lubricating oil, paint etc. An escape shaft runs vertically to a hatch at deck level May be used to gain access to incidents involving the engine room.

Shaft Tunnel.

Shaft tunnel and escape hatch

Ship Firefighting Systems Firefighters attending ship fires will find various installations on board; Water (fire mains, sprinklers) Carbon dioxide Foam Inert gas Dry powder systems.

Ship to shore connector.

Hazards and risks Lifejackets: Must be worn when working near water unless wearing breathing apparatus Vertical ladders: May run the full height of the vessel, ensure trapdoors are shut before stepping off Extremely Hot Conditions: Notify Incident Commander if conditions worsen or are untenable.

Initial actions On boarding Contact Master Plan/manifest Cargo Access On-board fire-fighting systems Mains/auxiliary Ventilation systems.

Initial actions Communications ASAP Messengers.

Ship fire-fighting procedures Locating the fire; Utilise knowledge of the crew Indications and signs; Increased temperature Density of smoke Blistering paintwork on bulkheads.

Stability Firefighters must be aware of the problems associated with ship stability, especially when too much water is allowed to accumulate in the ‘wrong’ place.

Stability If too much water accumulates high up in the vessel Or too much water accumulates on one side The ship will become unstable, start to list and possibly capsize, if corrective action is not taken.

Stability It is important that the application and location of any water is controlled and monitored Do not apply water in locations without the Incident Commander’s knowledge Any accumulation of water in areas must be reported to the Incident Commander.

Stability These general rules apply equally to special services where the fire service may be called to assist in pumping out a vessel The location of any water must be controlled and monitored Any accumulation of water in areas must be reported to the Incident Commander as pumping out progresses.

Confirmation Assessments will be based on this lesson and the corresponding study note Learning Outcomes The more common types of shipping using the River Humber The principal construction features of a ship The fixed fire-fighting systems found on ships The hazards and risks associated with shipping incidents.

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