MEC&F Expert Engineers : Offshore support vessel Subsea Viking caught fire at Hatson Pier in Orkney Islands due to short circuiting in the diesel generator

Monday, August 3, 2015

Offshore support vessel Subsea Viking caught fire at Hatson Pier in Orkney Islands due to short circuiting in the diesel generator



Subsea Viking. Image: Subsea 7 
 

Fire on Subsea Viking

By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Monday, August 03, 2015, 4:39 AM

 An exclusion zone was set up around Hatston Pier earlier as the offshore support vessel Subsea Viking which was tied up alongside at the time caught fire at Hatson Pier in Orkney Islands in Scotland’s Orkney Island.
 
 The fire started from the diesel generator due to short circuit and extended to the deck. In fire fighting was engaged a coastguard tug, which succeeded to extinguish it for about an hour, but continued to pour water over the support vessel Subsea Viking for half day attempting to cool gas cylinders stored on the deck and to prevent explosion. 
 
During the accident there were no injured people and no water pollution, but the quay was closed for a day and forced the ferry due to call to be diverted to a neighboring facility.
 
The 1999-built Subsea Viking is a construction / flexlay vessel owned by Eidesvik Shipping and on charter to Subsea 7. A ferry due to call at the pier last night diverted to a neighbouring facility.
 
The vessel has overall length of 103.00 m, moulded beam of 24.00 m and maximum draft of 6.20 m. The deadweight of the ship is 6,350 DWT and the gross tonnage is 7,401 GRT. The ship was built in 1999 by Umoe Sterkoder in their shipyard in Kristiansund, Norway.
 
 
 
/////-----------------///
 
 

Hatston Pier closed off after fire on ship

The Coastguard tug, which has powerful hoses either side, pictured next to the Subsea Viking.  (Picture: Jim Delday)
The Coastguard tug, which has powerful hoses either side, pictured next to the Subsea Viking.
(Picture: Jim Delday)
An exclusion zone was set up around Hatston Pier earlier this evening as a small fire was reported on board the offshore vessel Subsea Viking, which was tied up alongside at the time.

It is understood that the fire was quickly brought under control and there were no casualties.

Fire-fighters from Kirkwall remain on scene and the Coastguard tug, which was also berthed at the pier at the time of the incident close by the Subsea Viking, continued to pump water on board the vessel in order to keep gas bottles on the deck of the vessel at a safe cool temperature.
Water continued to be pumped on board after midnight. (Picture: Craig Taylor)
Water continued to be pumped on board after midnight.
(Picture: Craig Taylor)
As result of  the incident, the NorthLink ferry Hrossay, which was due in at the pier, was diverted to Kirkwall Pier instead, and the booking office at Kiln Corner specially opened to deal with passengers.

Shortly after midnight cooling water was still being pumped over the deck of the ship.