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CFA Region 7 recently took the lead role in successfully managing a Port of Geelong maritime incident.
The Port of Geelong notified CFA Region 7 Operations Manager Bob Barry early last month following reports of smoke coming from a cargo hold on a Chinese bulk carrier en route to Australia.
The marine vessel Jin Hui, carrying 12,600 tonnes of a palm kernel oil extraction residue to be used as low grade animal feed, was three days out from the Port of Geelong when the ship’s captain noted a rise in temperature in one of the holds and smoke coming from its hatch.
The Harbour Master for the Port of Geelong was notified and because it appeared to be a fire related incident, he asked that CFA assume emergency management command once the vessel entered Victorian waters.
Bob Barry, as Incident Controller, and his Incident Management Team – comprising Barry Foss (Operations Officer); Graham Lay (Planning Officer); and Ian Beswicke (Logistics Officer) - got straight down to business, undertaking a comprehensive operations and risk analysis over several days.
“It was very clear after we completed our analysis process that the best option was for us to board the vessel,” Bob said. “Our people could then assess the situation with our equipment and also determine the ship’s capability to deal with the incident. We also planned what we would do once the ship berthed at Geelong Port’s Lascelles Wharf, what resources would be required and how we would manage the incident.”
This was all documented in an Incident Management Plan (IMP), which was communicated to other key stakeholders.
A CFA Information Unit was also set up and worked with the Port of Geelong in handling media enquiries and distributing information to the community and all relevant stakeholders.
It was decided that Region 7 Operations Officer Barry Foss, a 34-year CFA veteran; Fire Officer Colin Reid from Belmont Fire Station; and Leading Firefighter Malcolm Stepnell from Geelong City Fire Station, would board the Jin Hui from a pilot ship when the vessel was ready to enter through the Heads of Port Philip Bay. The three men were chosen because all had the appropriate skills and fitness levels needed for this exercise.
“Once onboard, we employed our thermal imaging and gas monitoring equipment and also assessed the ship’s firefighting capability. We transmitted key information and photographs back to the CFA control point on the wharf at Geelong Port,” Barry said.
“As it turned out there was no likelihood of serious fire and no danger to the public. However, we were very well prepared. Our planning was meticulous and everything went very smoothly. It was a great result.”
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