Galley fire: Failure to follow stove/oven installation instructions

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 25 May 2017
  • Generated on 14 June 2026
  • 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:

Arm injury – need for focus on safe isolation and task control

A worker sustained an arm injury while troubleshooting a malfunctioning garbage compactor.

Read more
Floodlamp causes scaffold board to start smouldering

Workers on the accommodation deck noticed light smoke emanating from a nearby scaffold structure.

Read more
Lamp fixture fire in office cabin

A fire broke out in a ceiling lamp fitting in a cabin on a vessel.

Read more
BSEE: Prevent fires by inspecting cords, plugs and welding leads before use

The United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published Safety Alert 515.

Read more
More positive stories

Some more stories of good things happening – what went right.

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.