Hawkins’ Marine Fire expert John Gow, recently spoke at Marine Insurance Nordics, sharing his expertise on fire prevention. His presentation, “Loss Prevention: More Risk Management, Lower Claims?”, addressed the growing challenges of fire prevention in the maritime industry and emphasised the critical role of proactive strategies in reducing claims.
John highlighted several key points:
- Fire incidents are rising, 2024 saw a decade-high increase of 20%, with container ships and Roll on/Roll off carriers most affected.
- Misdeclared cargo remains a major risk factor, contributing to severe accidents and fires.
- Regulatory frameworks provide strong foundations, but struggle to keep pace with evolving vessel sizes, new propulsion systems, and emerging technologies.
- Fire prevention is more than compliance: it requires a holistic approach combining design, training, emergency response, and leadership commitment at every level.
- Future solutions could include automated fire suppression, more advanced firefighting equipment, smart sensors that connect to the internet to share data, and AI-driven decision support systems.
John emphasised that loss prevention starts with robust safety management systems to leadership-driven culture, and that many fire events are preventable with the right measures in place. John left his audience with a strong final message, “Fire does not discriminate! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”
John is an experienced fire investigator, with extensive expertise in marine fire incidents. He has provided expert testimony and guidance in numerous high-profile cases, including fatal accident inquiries in both criminal and civil courts.
Drawing on his background as an operational firefighter, John has acted as a specialist in firefighting practices, as well as an origin and cause expert, often combining both roles. His investigations have supported underwriters, charterers, cargo interests, and salvors across a wide range of vessels, including container ships, Ro-Pax ferries, PCTCs (Pure Car and Truck Carriers), cruise ships, and tankers.
If you would like John to deliver a presentation to your organisation or assist with a marine-related investigation, please contact us.
