By Daniel Katzive (gCaptain) – The tragic loss of two firefighters during a fire on the Grande Costa D’Avorio at Port Newark in July 2023 highlights a significant gap in shipboard firefighting training across the nation, according to Jennifer L. Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). “It’s alarming that we continue to see inadequate training for our firefighters despite repeated warnings from the NTSB after various transportation disasters,” Homendy stated alongside other board members.
The NTSB’s extensive report on this incident was released recently and included findings first discussed at a hearing weeks prior. It emphasizes urgent recommendations for enhancing firefighting training aboard ships and suggests design modifications for containment doors on RoRo vessels. Additionally, it advises against using passenger vehicles to push non-operational cars onto ships during loading.
This incident is reminiscent of past vessel fires investigated by the NTSB. As a notable example, after the 2020 Hoegh Xiamen fire in Jacksonville, Florida, firefighters faced serious injuries due to an over-pressurization event when they opened a vent on a garage deck. Even though no formal recommendations were issued then, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue took proactive steps by updating their Shipboard Fire Attack Decision Model and sending personnel for advanced training sessions. Similarly, an investigation into the Spirit of Norfolk fire in Virginia revealed that local firefighters were not adequately trained to handle marine firefighting scenarios.
“This isn’t an isolated case; we’ve seen similar incidents where land-based firefighter injuries occurred due to insufficient maritime training,” Homendy remarked.
In contrast to Newark’s situation—where many firefighters lacked tactical shipboard experience—the New York City Fire Department stands out as a model with its robust marine firefighting program. The FDNY Marine Division employs around 100-120 personnel year-round and has access to advanced simulation technology at their training facility. They also send their team members regularly for specialized courses in Fort Lauderdale and Virginia.On the flip side, most Newark firefighters had not received any shipboard firefighting instruction since 2014; only two had attended previous trainings before this incident occurred. The report indicates that even those responsible for operating Newark’s fireboats missed out on crucial exercises due to budget constraints affecting overtime pay.Post-incident efforts have been minimal; according to Homendy’s statement, Newark responders received just four hours of basic Shipboard Firefighting Awareness classes along with some vessel tours—far from what is necessary for effective emergency response.
The Port of Virginia was highlighted positively by NTSB members as an example of accomplished collaboration among agencies regarding fire response protocols and training initiatives. “While it may not be universally adopted yet, Virginia sets a standard worth emulating,” noted board member J.
Todd Inman during discussions about best practices.
The report details both crew actions during the blaze and frantic attempts made by responders searching for trapped firefighters below decks amid vehicles—a situation exacerbated when they entered areas post-CO2 deployment against established safety protocols which allowed oxygen back into those spaces dangerously endangering lives.
Investigations revealed that the initial cause stemmed from using a Jeep Wrangler rather of appropriate industrial equipment designed per OSHA standards while pushing non-functional cars onto the vessel—a decision leading directly to ignition when overheated transmission fluid ignited against hot engine components.
Moreover, design flaws were identified: controls meant for heavy hydraulic doors leading into hazardous zones were located inside those very compartments—making safe exit impossible even with SCBA gear donned—resulting in compromised CO2 effectiveness as doors remained ajar throughout critical moments following deployment measures taken earlier by crew members onboard Grimaldi Deep Sea’s vessel operations which are now undergoing necessary modifications based upon these findings reported through NTSB channels alongside Coast Guard investigations expected soon thereafter.
