The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF) has published its third set of industry good practice guidelines, Fire Drill Guidelines for Vehicle Carrying Vessels. The guidelines, published on October 19th, provide vessel operators with a structured framework for the development and conduct of fire response drills on board vehicle carrying vessels. These guidelines are intended to supplement and be read alongside the VCSF’s previous Fire Response – High Level Guidelines, and to support effective preparedness for fire incidents through realistic, scenario-based drills.
The Fire Drill Guidelines for Vehicle Carrying Vessels are divided into two main sections, covering fire drills at sea and in port, with a focus on operational readiness, decision-making and coordination.
Particular emphasis is placed on rapid fire confirmation, fast muster, safe deployment of crew, and the early and correct use of fixed firefighting system.
The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum is a consortium of vessel operators, insurers and other industry experts, whose role is to promote safety on vessels designed to carry vehicles. The forum was initiated in 2020 and since then has grown to include numerous vessel operators, insurers and industry experts.
https://britanniapandi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/VCSF_Drills_Guidelines_-_Final.pdf
https://www.gard.no/en/insights/new-fire-drill-guidelines-for-vehicle-carrying-vessels/