The Irish Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has called on the Minister for Transport to consider reviewing and updating the regulations on the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations and systems on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure craft and other marine craft. The call for action comes in the wake of a series of recommendations published in the MCIB’s report into the death of Detective Garda Deirdre Finn in a fire on board the DollFinn motor cruiser at Carrick-on-Shannon in early August 2023.
The MCIB recommendation to the Minister says the review and update of regulations must relate to the importance for “owners and operators of any vessel operating LPG systems onboard”.
The report states that the most likely cause of the fire on board the Freeman 33 river cruiser was that the pipe supplying LPG gas to the gas-fired refrigerator failed and consequently released LPG gas onto the after deck of the boat.
“On the morning of August 7th 2023, in all probability, LPG filled the after deck of the vessel DollFinn,” the report says.
“The calm conditions and high atmospheric pressure at that time ensured the LPG was not disturbed allowing it to build-up in volume until it reached a point that the pilot light for the refrigerator ignited the built-up LPG. The resulting fire generated a large and fatal level volume of carbon monoxide gas, which flooded into the sleeping quarters ahead of the fire,” it says.
“Evidence that the casualty was found lying on her back in a relaxed position would suggest that she was asleep when she inhaled carbon monoxide gas in high concentration and never knew or responded to the fire or the effects of the gas,” it says.
The report notes the vessel had been surveyed while ashore, and was in “reasonable cosmetic condition” and some new safety equipment had been installed prior to relaunching. One recommendation in particular from the 2022 Condition Survey Report was that a carbon monoxide alarm should be fitted in the forward cabin/galley area. During an inspection of the wreck it was not possible to ascertain if this had been actioned.
The MCIB says that the coroner’s autopsy report states that death was due to inhalation of combustion products including carbon monoxide, and “the determination of the cause of death is a matter for a coroner’s inquest”.
The MCIB makes a number of recommendations directed to the Minister for Transport, Waterways Ireland, Irish Marine Federation and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland. It says the minister should consider “amending the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft to include specific reference to fitting gas, carbon monoxide, smoke and/or heat detectors in all vessels with onboard liquefied petroleum gas systems”.
Download the full report: MCIB report on DollFinn fire