Description
In terms of s.6(1)(a) of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 the sheriff found that Ramilito Capangpangan (DOB 12.12.74) and Benjamin Rosillo Potot (DOB 24.05.75) died within the galley and Rimants Venckus (10.02.58) died within the wheelhouse on board the vessel “the Vision ll" berthed at Provost Park Jetty, Balaclava Inner Harbour, Fraserburgh. The deaths occurred between 00.30 and 01.30am on Friday 1st August 2008. In terms of s.6(1)(b) the deaths were caused by the inhalation of smoke and fire gases. Formal determinations were made under s.6(1)(c) and (e).
Background
The accident resulting in the deaths was caused by an electric fan heater fitted within a seating unit in the galley of the Vision ll. The air supply to the fan heater was either slowed or stopped by items within the storage area blocking the air vents in the back of the fan heater. This caused the fan heater to overheat and ignite.
Determination
In terms of s.6(1)(c) the reasonable precautions by which the accident and the deaths might have been avoided are as follows: the fan heater should have been housed within a plywood box; combustible items should not have been stored next to the fan heater; the galley fire door should have been kept closed at all times; crew members should have been provided with adequate training and undertaken regular emergency drills; emergency exits should have been regularly inspected and maintained; fire detection system should have been incapable of being turned off and should have been connected to a secondary power source; and additional fire alarms should have been fitted.
In terms of s. 6(1)(e) two facts were identified as relevant to the circumstances of the deaths. First, there was confusion as to what organisation should approve the installation of fan heaters and tie backs on galley doors. As a result these items were not inspected. Second, if a scaffold pole had not been used to shut the watertight door onto the main deck the crew might have had another escape route.
