Ship Fires: Everything is bigger and Everything takes longer, so plan ahead.
Ship fires present many unique challenges. Size is one of them. Ships are often very large. As can be seen above, they can be compared to a high-rise in magnitude of potential problems. Unlike a high-rise, access is VERY limited. Egress is also limited. There is generally only one way on and one way off a vessel. This is generally the same route needed by responders to effect access to the vessel that passengers may be using for evacuation. We recommend establishing a secondary means of access/egress early in any operation such as a main ladder to the bow. That is why an effective plan should be in place to ensure a successful operation.
Most ship's crews will initiate a "shelter in place" type of response where passengers may be mustered in a Safe Refuge area(s) on board the vessel. In addition, passenger vessels are likely to have a high number of Special Needs people on board that may require attention. If a vessel routinely calls at your port, scheduing tours for first due companies and command officers can assist in determining these locations and what actions the crew will take prior to your arrival.
