Poor training and a lack of oversight have been blamed for the sinking of a US flagged fishing vessel in American Samoa last December.
Pago Pago Harbour, American Samoa Photo: AFP / Michael Runkel / Robert Harding Premium
A report released this week by the National Transport Safety Board said a fire which started in a dry store locker on the purse seiner led to its sinking.
The report details how the Jeanette's crew failed to contain the 7 December 2018 fire, while berthed in Pago Pago.
The blaze then threatened the 70-metre vessel's 340,000 litres of diesel fuel, 1100 litres of aviation fuel, and 5400kg of anhydrous ammonia for its cargo refrigeration system.
The blaze that broke out on the purse seiner in the port of Pago Pago. Photo: Photo courtesy of Christina Lutu Sanchez
The port authority subsequently ordered the 1500 tonne Jeanette be towed out to sea where it sank, 24km south of the main island Tutuila, the following morning.
The report estimates property damage exceeded $US15 million with no threat to the environment.
It determined the probable cause of the fire and sinking was inadequate crew training and company oversight to ensure safe work practices were followed.
Further, it determined that a clear chain of command was lacking on board the vessel which contributed to the spread of the fire.
