Violation of international regulations and standard operational procedures coupled with equipment handling by unskilled operators were the causes of fire that killed three people aboard oil tanker The Banglar Shourabh, pointed out the three-member probe committee in its report submitted yesterday.

The Banglar Shourabh, procured by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) about 25 years ago at a cost of Tk 50 crore, caught fire at Charley (C) point of the outer anchorage of Chittagong port on July 24.

The probe committee comprising members from Mercantile Marine Department and Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) suspect that sparks from 'electric blower' during cleaning of its tanks might have caused the fire and the explosions, as the vessel was not

made 'gas-free' properly before using the 'electric blower', said the sources.

The report cited that the use of 'electric blowers' for cleaning oil tanks is a fire-safety hazard and their use is absolutely restricted. The report blamed those who approved the use of'electric blowers' on the ship.

The probe committee further pointed its finger at several high officials of BSC including the general manager (ship repair), DPA and general manager, SPD for sheer negligence, incompetence and for not following the international shipping manual.

The committee also found administrative irregularities in BSC where inexperienced officials, a second officer and a third engineer of the vessel, were awarded contractual appointments without approval from the higher authorities. Another controversial contractual appointment for the position of an electrical engineer was awarded to a retired Bangladesh Navy officer who did not have required certification for the job, sources said quoting the report.

A high official at BSC preferring anonymity alleged that BSC's chain of command has collapsed and it lacks coordination among most of its departments. The general manager (personnel) takes unilateral decisions on all contractual appointments, the official added.

The probe committee in its report strongly recommended that BSC bring administrative discipline in all BSC establishments, strictly follow a proper human recourses policy for new recruits on BSC ships and provide adequate training to the employees regularly.