This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/6570657.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cruise ship fire report released Cruise ship fire report released
(about 11 hours later)
Poor fire training and a failure to carry out engine modifications have been highlighted in an accident report into a blaze on a cruise ship.Poor fire training and a failure to carry out engine modifications have been highlighted in an accident report into a blaze on a cruise ship.
The Calypso was off the coast of Beachy Head, East Sussex, with 708 passengers and staff on board when the fire broke out on 6 May last year.The Calypso was off the coast of Beachy Head, East Sussex, with 708 passengers and staff on board when the fire broke out on 6 May last year.
A failed low pressure fuel pipe flange on a starboard engine was the cause. It had not had "necessary modifications".A failed low pressure fuel pipe flange on a starboard engine was the cause. It had not had "necessary modifications".
The ship had to be towed to Southampton but no-one was injured in the incident.The ship had to be towed to Southampton but no-one was injured in the incident.
The Cypriot-registered Calypso, carrying mainly Dutch passengers, was en route from Tilbury, Essex, to St Peter Port, in Guernsey, when the engine fire was reported just after 0330 BST. The Cypriot-registered Calypso, carrying mainly Dutch passengers, was en-route from Tilbury, Essex, to St Peter Port, in Guernsey, when the engine fire was reported just after 0330 BST.
It is to the credit of the master and the crew that nobody suffered anything more than discomfort MAIB reportIt is to the credit of the master and the crew that nobody suffered anything more than discomfort MAIB report
Coastguard helicopters flew firefighters and ambulance paramedics to the vessel, which was about 20 miles south-west of Beachy Head, while lifeboats and merchant ships also went to its aid.Coastguard helicopters flew firefighters and ambulance paramedics to the vessel, which was about 20 miles south-west of Beachy Head, while lifeboats and merchant ships also went to its aid.
A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report said there had been similar incidents of flange bolt failure "in the past and over 10 years previously".A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report said there had been similar incidents of flange bolt failure "in the past and over 10 years previously".
It said frequent changes in the vessel's ownership could have been a reason why technical bulletins from the engine makers in 1995 and 1999 "were not effective in ensuring that the necessary modifications were carried out on The Calypso".It said frequent changes in the vessel's ownership could have been a reason why technical bulletins from the engine makers in 1995 and 1999 "were not effective in ensuring that the necessary modifications were carried out on The Calypso".
The response to the fire from those in charge of the ship was also highlighted in the MAIB report.The response to the fire from those in charge of the ship was also highlighted in the MAIB report.
There were more than 640 passengers on board the shipThere were more than 640 passengers on board the ship
It said there were "flaws in the knowledge, experience and training of some of the senior officers", while their actions "did not appear to follow recognised good practice".It said there were "flaws in the knowledge, experience and training of some of the senior officers", while their actions "did not appear to follow recognised good practice".
The fire only died down, mainly as a result of fuel starvation, due to the swift response of the watchkeeping engineer officer, the report concluded.The fire only died down, mainly as a result of fuel starvation, due to the swift response of the watchkeeping engineer officer, the report concluded.
But it added that it was "to the credit of the master and the crew that nobody suffered anything more than discomfort".But it added that it was "to the credit of the master and the crew that nobody suffered anything more than discomfort".
The Calypso was operated by Louis Cruise Lines, whose Sea Diamond vessel sank off the Greek island of Santorini earlier this month. Two French passengers are missing, feared drowned. The Calypso was operated by Louis Cruise Lines (LCL), whose Sea Diamond vessel sank off the Greek island of Santorini earlier this month. Two French passengers are missing, feared drowned.
A statement from the company said it had taken appropriate action in response to the report, including ensuring all staff within the fleet were well informed of the safety issues that had arisen.
"LCL is pleased to note the action to be taken by engine manufacturers to review its distribution processes to ensure owners and operators receive its technical bulletins," it added.
The company also thanked all the authorities involved in the incident, and praised the "prompt action, professionalism and bravery of the Master, his officers and crew".