Galley fire: Failure to follow stove/oven installation instructions

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 25 May 2017
  • Generated on 20 October 2025
  • IMCA SF 12/17
  • 1 minute read

The United States Coastguard (USCG) has published Marine Safety Alert 02-17, relating to a fire on an offshore platform.

A manufacturer had improperly installed a commercial grade electric stove. As a result, the platforms crew was awakened by the sound of smoke alarms from a galley fire. They acted quickly to isolate and fight the fire and were assisted by another vessel.

The crew's rapid response limited the damage, which could have been much worse.

Lessons learned

Members should be reminded of the importance of following instructions when installing or indeed operating galley cooking equipment, and in particular may wish to ensure that all commercial grade stoves and ovens are installed with the proper clearances to prevent ignition of combustible materials.

The full Safety Alert can be found on the USCG website.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Crane cab access platform collapsed

On a vessel crane, the access platform to the crane cab failed catastrophically. 

Read more
Positive: Worn mooring lines spotted and replaced before they parted

It was observed that mooring ropes had nearly reached breaking point.

Read more
Dropped object due to over-ridden limit switch

A limit switch on a crane was over-ridden, resulting in wires parting and objects falling from the crane.

Read more
Worker suffered eye injuries in electric arc incident

A Vessel ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) sustained light burn injuries to the eyes.

Read more
USCG: Lithium-Ion battery system installations

The United States Coastguard has published Safety Alert 14-25 relating to Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery system Installations.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.