Warning over lithium batteries after California boat fire tragedy
The US Coast Guard issued a safety directive warning commercial boat owners about the dangers of unsupervised lithium battery charging.
The safety bulletin was issued as the National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report into the California dive boat fire which killed 34 people earlier this month.
The exact cause still hasn’t been determined but the possibility of overheated batteries is being looked at.
The batteries are used in a wide range of gadgets from cellphones to cameras.
The fire took hold below deck overnight as all occupants were sleeping and there is a fear a huge number of devices may have been stacked up charging overnight.
Unfortunately the complete destruction of the vessel makes it difficult to confirm this.
Among other recommendations, the safety bulletin warned vessel owners to ‘consider limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords.’
The Coast Guard opened a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) committee to look at the likely causes as a ‘highest-level marine casualty investigation.’
Meanwhile the NTSB reported all crew members were asleep when the fire took hold, which is a violation for liveaboard boats on open water.
That could lead to possible charges against the boat operator.
NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt said a ‘roving watch person’ is required when the below deck bunks are occupied overnight.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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