INVESTIGATING INCIDENTS CAUSING WOODEN DHOW FIRES IN SUBSIDIARY PORTS OF BUSHEHR PROVINCE

Despite repeated efforts on building safety vessels and using advanced equipment such as navigation equipment and safety equipment, marine accidents still occur, resulting in personal injury and property damages and pollution of the marine environment. Investigation of accidents in the maritime industry is not covered for those involved in this industry. Accurate, effective and timely investigation of accidents can lead to identifying the factors and causes of marine accidents.Taking corrective measures after identifying these factors, through formulating or revising the rules and guidelines, improves safety and standards in the maritime industry. Hence, an effective and timely investigation of marine accidents could lead to the adoption of necessary measures in order to prevent or reduce similar disasters and to increase the safety of navigation, people s lives and property safety, and facility and the marine environment safety. Considering the number of non-conventional vessels in the country, investigating the causes of accidents in wooden dhows is of paramount importance. On the other hand, the surveys carried out reflects the fact that 68% of the accidents occurred over recent years under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been related to the non-conventional vessels, more than 50 percent of which is related to fire accidents. Due to the lack of promotion for technical quality and safety of these vessels in accordance with international standards and marine transportation, non-conventional vessels have become one of the concerns of the maritime transport industry.