A detailed look at the 11-day firefighting operation aboard the Lowlands Diamond cargo ship.
Topics covered
Firefighting efforts at Aberdeen’s South Harbour: A complex operation
In a remarkable display of coordination and bravery, over 150 firefighters battled a complex blaze aboard the cargo ship Lowlands Diamond at Aberdeen’s South Harbour. The fire, which ignited on January 19, raged for an astonishing 11 days, requiring meticulous planning and collaboration among various agencies, including the Scottish and UK governments.
Initial response and planning
The incident began when crew members aboard the Panama-registered vessel detected a significant rise in temperature within Hold Two. This alarming signal prompted immediate action, leading to a swift notification to the UK Coastguard. As the ship was anchored off the north coast of England, discussions ensued regarding the best course of action to combat the fire.
Andrew Wright, the Aberdeen area commander from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, emphasized the importance of thorough planning. “We had to get the planning right as one of the key concerns was the fire might spread quite significantly,” he stated. After careful consideration, authorities decided on South Harbour as the optimal location for firefighting efforts due to its spacious layout and freshwater tank, minimizing risks to surrounding vessels.
Executing the firefighting operation
Once the Lowlands Diamond arrived at South Harbour on January 22, the firefighting operation commenced. Over the next three days, 58 fire appliances, each manned by six firefighters, were deployed to tackle the blaze. The operation was not without its challenges; forecasters warned of impending Storm Eowyn, which necessitated adjustments to the firefighting strategy.
Firefighters faced the daunting task of accessing the fire within Hold Two, which was approximately 25 meters deep and filled with cargo. The team meticulously removed cargo in increments, inspecting for the fire’s origin. “We took cargo out bit by bit. It was slow progress and a lot of work was done,” Wright explained. This careful approach ensured that the majority of the ship’s 7,000-tonne cargo of wood remained undamaged.
Challenges and successful resolution
Throughout the operation, safety was paramount. Fire chiefs had to ensure that adequate resources remained available in case of other emergencies. Wright noted, “We would never fully remove all the appliances to come to an incident.” The firefighters worked around the clock, with senior officers overseeing the operation to ensure everything was proceeding safely and effectively.
After three days of relentless effort, the firefighters finally reached the floor level of Hold Two. Following a thorough inspection, they confirmed the scene was safe, marking a significant milestone in the operation. Remarkably, the crew of the Lowlands Diamond was allowed to remain on board throughout the incident, maintaining constant communication with the fire service.
Ultimately, the fire was extinguished without any injuries or major damage to the vessel. The successful resolution of this complex incident serves as a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the firefighting teams involved. Wright concluded, “We were very fortunate because this was a very complex and unusual incident.” The lessons learned from this operation will be invaluable for future emergency responses.
