TTSB releases the final report of the Fishing Vessel 'SHENG FAN NO.188' that sank after catching fire in the Western Indian Ocean.

The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) released the final report of occurrence investigation on the fishing vessel 'SHENG FAN NO.188', which sank after catching fire in the western Indian Ocean.

On March 29th, 2024, a Taiwanese fishing vessel, "SHENG FAN NO.188" (hereinafter referred to as "the vessel"), with a gross tonnage of 548 and IMO number 9952919, was conducting fishing operations in the high seas of the Indian Ocean (approximately 605 nautical miles northeast of the port of Victoria, Seychelles). At around 0700 hours (UTC +8) that day, the captain discovered a fire in the engine room, which produced thick smoke, and subsequently contacted nearby vessels for assistance. At approximately 0917 hours, a nearby vessel arrived at the site of the occurrence and rescued 25 crew members. The following day, at around 0810 hours, the vessel sank completely; there were no casualties.

In accordance with the Transportation Occurrences Investigation Act, and the relevant contents of the Casualty Investigation Code of the International Maritime Organization, the TTSB is an independent transportation occurrence investigation agency responsible for conducting this major occurrence investigation. The investigation team included members of the Maritime and Port Bureau Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Fisheries Agency Ministry of Agriculture, National Communications Commission, and Sheng Fan Fishery Co. LTD.

Based on available factual information and analyses, the final report presents two findings and one safety recommendation for the relevant organizations. The final report was reviewed and approved at the 67th TTSB Board Meeting on September 13th, 2024.

Findings from investigation

1. The captain of the vessel discovered a fire in the engine room while navigating. Due to the intensity of the fire and smoke, it was impossible for the crew to enter the fire area to extinguish it. The vessel burned for approximately 25 hours before completely sinking; there was insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the engine room fire, and this case is classified as a class 3 marine occurrence.
2. The Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) on the vessel was not correctly installed in an open space outside the cabin. Until the vessel sank, the Taipei Mission Control Center did not receive any distress signals from the EPIRB.

Transportation Safety Recommendation

To Sheng Fan Fishery Co. LTD.

1. Educate the crew on the self-check procedures for the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). If the captain finds that the EPIRB is not installed in an open space outside the cabin, immediate correction should be made.

Full Final Report in Chinese is available for download at https://www.ttsb.gov.tw

Ya-Ting Chang, Secretariat Office
Tel: +886-2-7727-6210
E-mail: [email protected]

Michael GUAN, Investigator-In-Charge
Marine Occurrence Investigation Division
Tel: +886-2-7727-6202
E-mail: [email protected]

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