F/V Yardarm Knot Fire/Chlorine Release; Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington | 1994-Oct-26

Initial Notification: The USCG MSO Puget Sound received a report of a fire on the F/V Yardarm Knot at 0830 on November 8, 1994. The vessel was moored at the Coastal Transport dock on the ship canal in Ballard, a suburb of Seattle, Washington. At the time of the fire, 70,000 gallons of #2 fuel oil in the double-bottom fuel tanks, one 3,000 pound tank of anhydrous ammonia, various cans of paint products, and eight 150-pound cylinders of chlorine were onboard. An unknown amount of chlorine was released during the fire and 15 firefighters suffered respiratory distress and minor skin irritation. The USCG MSO dispatched a USCG Fire Fighting Coordinator, HAZMAT team, and a 41-foot patrol boat to assist the Seattle Fire Department Incident Commander. The fire started in the forward part of the processing area of the vessel when a welding spark fell on combustible material. The fire spread to the lower deck and forward to the forecastle, causing extensive damage to the factory processing area. Smoke from the fire necessitated closing the Ballard Bridge to traffic. The main fire was extinguished at 1130, but the vessel contained hot spots and continued to have small flare ups through the night and into the next day. Chlorine levels continued to be detected on the vessel and on the dock alongside, but, due to the threat of re-flash, the Seattle Fire Department suspended efforts to mitigate the potential chlorine release until November 10. A USCG HAZMAT team member remained on-scene with the Seattle Fire Department overnight fire watch. A unified command was set up among the USCG, State of Washington, vessel owner, and the Seattle Fire Department to address the continuing threat of a chlorine and/or ammonia release from the vessel. The unified command met several times November 9 and 10 to review plans for site safety, the proposed repair and removal of the chlorine cylinders, ventilation of lower compartments, and vessel salvage. The chlorine threat was mitigated, the fire completely extinguished, and the vessel declared safe for entry by the morning of November 10. The vessel was towed to Northlake Shipyard for repairs. USCG district 13. Keyword: containment boom.