FINLANDS SJÖFART ■ SUOMEN MERENKULKU 63 a fire, no matter how small, must raise the alarm immediately and attempt to extinguish the fire with appropriate equipment, if it is safe to do so.’ The able seaman (AB) who discovered the fire after the smoke alarm was triggered called the third officer while trying to pick up a fire extinguisher. ‘Essentially, the AB was prepared to commit suicide, showing the urgent need for EV-specific training in the marine industry,’ Professor Christensen said, pointing out the inadequacy of fire extinguishers for EV battery fires. He notes the report’s statement that ‘no specific training is compulsory for car carriers and/or electric vehicle carriage.’ He also points to the report referencing that the charging battery level of vehicles was unknown to the crew. He said: ‘It is not clear that the importance of this is clear to the author of the report. State of charge could be a determining factor in whether the hazard is fire or explosion. ‘I remain significantly concerned that mariners’ lives are at risk due to the lack of investment in research, crew training, PPE and ship design with respect to the carriage of EVs onboard marine vessels.’ ‘I’m concerned that the Panama investigation report authors aren’t aware that using foam would switch the hazard from fire to explosion’ Professor Emeritus Paul Christensen of Newcastle University CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
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