Explosion

Published on: September 10, 2024

Coast Guard Issues Alert after Fishing Boat Explosion in Hawaii

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a safety alert following a deadly explosion aboard the F/V KIM THU, an uninspected commercial fishing vessel, in Hawaii on April 26, 2024. In a recent update, U.S. Coast Guard officials provided further details about the blast, while the Department of Law Enforcement confirmed that the F/V KIM THU was a foreign long-line fishing vessel. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.

The incident occurred while the boat was moored at Pier 36 for maintenance. The explosion, which originated from the marine diesel fuel tank, resulted in the death of one crew member and left five others injured.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the F/V KIM THU failed to comply with the “Hot Works” permit guidelines issued by the State Department of Transportation. These regulations govern maintenance activities on water tank hatches, engine room stairs, and spotlights. According to witnesses, welding was conducted on a fuel tank vent pipe that had not been certified as gas-free or deemed “Safe for Hot Work” by a certified marine chemist, a clear violation of permit requirements.

Published on: July 9, 2019

Explosion in Whittier, Alaska, 49-year-old Man Missing

by Joseph Stacey

Just after midnight on July 8th, the town of Whittier, Alaska was rocked when an explosion occurred on a fixed barge at the Delong Dock. Fire from the explosion spread to the pier as well as the docked 99-foot F/V ALAGANIK. Watchstanders were alerted to the explosion and blaze after they heard “Whittier fire, Whittier fire” on VHF Channel 16. They contacted Whittier dispatchers, who confirmed that the Delong Dock was indeed on fire.

A 100-yard safety zone was set up to keep vessels away from the fire, and the crew of the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter CHANDELEUR worked to maintain the safety zone as responders searched for a 49-year-old man from Cordova, Alaska who was reported as missing.

In addition to Coast Guard crews, response efforts included members of the Whittier Fire Department, Whittier Police Department, Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel Fire Department and Girdwood Fire Department. Whittier Fire Department chief Brian Hicks was reported to be the on-scene commander. Whittier Fire Department personnel reported the fire extinguished at about 2:50 a.m.

Published on: October 17, 2017

Federal Agencies Respond to Oil Rig Platform Explosion in Louisiana

by Joseph Stacey

One person is missing and 7 others have been injured in an oil rig platform explosion on Lake Pontchartrain near Kenner, Louisiana.

Locals reported an explosion that sounded like a “sonic boom” at approximately 7:20 p.m. on October 15th. Sector New Orleans was alerted and launched a Coast Guard Station New Orleans 29-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrew, a Station New Orleans 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew, and a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter in response to the incident. Bayou Gauche Fire Department vessels, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries vessels, and a “good Samaritan” vessel were also at the scene.

The platform acts as a storage and transfer structure for oil wells on the lake. Clovelly Oil Co., the owner of the platform, said it is also used as a natural gas platform. The fire burned overnight, but was extinguished by morning. “Our first objective from the firefighting standpoint is we’re trying to stop the oil flow if there’s any and at that point we have to cool it and let it burn off,” said Fire Chief David Tibbets of the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department.