Fire Drill Guidelines Published for Vehicle Carrying Vessels

The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum has published Fire Drill Guidelines for Vehicle Carrying Vessels (“the Guidelines”), providing operators with a structured framework for the development and conduct of fire response drills on board vehicles carrying vessels.

The Guidelines focus on operational readiness, decision-making and coordination, with the emphasis on rapid fire confirmation, fast muster, safe crew deployment and the early and correct use of fixed firefighting systems to help prevent a fire from escalating.

The Guidelines:

• Are principle-based, not prescriptive, recognising the wide variation in vessel design, equipment, cargo configuration, and trade;

• Do not provide detailed, ship-specific procedures;

• Focus on operational readiness, decision-making, and coordination during fire incidents;

• Should be adapted to incorporate emerging technologies or systems where these are available for use on board.