Breaking: An Iranian Cargo Ship Sinks After Fire in the Caspian Sea 突发：一艘伊朗货船在里海火灾沉没

On January 14, 2026, local time, an Iranian bulk carrier caught fire while sailing in the Caspian Sea, leading to the stern sinking and the eventual total loss of the vessel. Fortunately, rescue forces from Turkmenistan responded swiftly upon receiving the distress signal and successfully rescued all 14 crew members (of Iranian and Indian nationality) with no casualties. The vessel frequently operated between Iranian ports such as Amirabad and Anzali and Russian ports including Astrakhan and Makhachkala, making its route a sensitive one.

当地时间2026年1月14日，一艘伊朗散货船在里海航行途中突发火灾，导致船尾下沉，最终沉没。万幸的是，土库曼斯坦救援力量在接到求救信号后迅速响应，成功救起全部14名船员（伊朗籍与印度籍），无人员伤亡。该船频繁往返于伊朗阿米拉巴德、安扎利与俄罗斯阿斯特拉罕、马哈奇卡拉等港口，航线敏感。

Core Analysis: The Sudden Nature and Chain of Destruction in Shipboard Fires

事故核心：海上火灾的突发性与破坏链

The shipboard fires is one of the most severe maritime emergencies. It is characterized by its suddenness, rapid spread, and complex rescue environment. Although the specific ignition source is under investigation, such accidents typically reveal a clear "chain of destruction": initial ignition source (e.g., electrical short circuit, cargo spontaneous combustion) → failure or delay in initial firefighting → fire spreads to critical areas (e.g., engine room, accommodation) → successive failure of shipboard systems (e.g., power, electricity) → ultimately leading to loss of vessel control and even sinking.

本次火灾再次凸显了海上火灾作为最严峻海上险情之一的特性：突发性强、蔓延迅速、救援环境复杂。尽管具体火源有待调查，但此类事故通常暴露出一条清晰的"破坏链"：初始火源（如电气短路、货物自燃）→初期灭火失败或延误 → 火势蔓延至关键区域（机舱、生活区）→船舶系统相继失效（动力、电力）→ 最终导致船舶失控乃至沉没。

In open waters, there might be more time to manage a fire; however, in relatively enclosed waters like the Caspian Sea, where rescue resources may be distant, the response within the first few tens of minutes directly determines the final outcome for the vessel and crew.

在开阔水域，火灾可能尚有时间周旋；但在里海这类相对封闭、救援资源调度距离较长的水域，最初的数十分钟应对直接决定了船舶与船员最终的命运。

Key Phases and Decision Points in Shipboard Fire Rescue

海上火灾救助关键阶段与决策要点

Successful fire rescue is a systematic project that should follow a clear phased logic and strict decision-making priorities (Life > Controlling the Fire > Protecting the Environment > Preserving Property).

成功的火灾救助是一个系统工程，应遵循明确的阶段性逻辑与严格的决策优先级（生命 > 控制火势 > 保护环境 > 保全财产）。

Phase One: Immediate Response

第一阶段：即刻响应

Core Actions: The discoverer raises a vocal alarm and immediately smashes the nearest fire alarm button; all crew members proceed to their stations as per the

Muster List; the bridge simultaneously sends an urgent alert to the shore-based management company and the relevant Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC).

核心行动：发现者高声报警并立即击碎最近的火警按钮；全体船员按《应变部署表》就位；驾驶台同步向岸基管理公司与相关救援协调中心（RCC）发出紧急警报。

Key Discipline: Initial firefighting must ensure a clear escape route is maintained; avoid reckless advancement.

关键纪律：初期灭火必须确保退路畅通，切忌盲目深入。

Phase Two: Organized Control

第二阶段：组织控制

Core Tactics (FIRE Principle):

核心战术（FIRE原则）：

F (Find): Quickly identify the fire's location, nature, and class (A/B/C/D).

F（Find）：迅速探明火源位置、性质与类别（A/B/C/D类）。

I (Isolate): Immediately cut off ventilation, fuel, and power supply to the affected area.

I（Isolate）：立即切断火灾区域的通风、燃油和电力供应。

R (Restrict): Establish a defensive line to prevent the fire from spreading to the engine room, accommodation, or dangerous goods storage areas.

R（Restrict）：建立防线，防止火势向机舱、居住区或危险品存放处蔓延。

E (Extinguish): Select the correct extinguishing medium (water, foam, CO₂, dry powder) based on the fire source.

E（Extinguish）：根据火源选择正确介质（水、泡沫、CO₂、干粉）。

Key Decision: Assess whether to activate the fixed large-scale fire-extinguishing system (e.g., CO₂). Before activation, it is imperative to confirm 100% that all personnel have evacuated and all openings are sealed.

关键决策：评估是否启动固定式大型灭火系统（如CO₂）。启动前，必须百分百确认人员全部撤离、所有开口密闭。

Phase Three: Escalation for Assistance and Abandonment

第三阶段：升级求援与弃船

When the fire is clearly out of control, the captain should decisively issue a "MAYDAY" distress call, providing accurate ship position, fire status, personnel details, and required assistance.

当火势明显失控时，船长应果断发出"MAYDAY"遇险求救信号，提供准确船位、火情、人员及所需援助。

Rules for Abandon Ship Decision: Abandon ship must be considered if any of the following occurs: failure of the fixed fire-extinguishing system; fire blocking access to life-saving appliances; severe damage to the ship's structure or continuous deterioration of stability. The decision should be made before the situation is completely out of control.

弃船决策铁律：出现以下任一情况，必须考虑弃船：固定灭火系统失效；火势封锁住通往救生艇筏的通道；船舶结构严重受损或稳性持续恶化。决策应早于险情完全失控。

Action Guide for Ship Owners and Crew: From Prevention to Aftermath

船东与船员行动指南：从预防到善后

For Ship Owners and Management Companies:

对船东与管理公司：

1.Deepen Specialized Fire Risk Assessment: For vessels frequently operating on sensitive routes and potentially of older age, conduct special fire system evaluations, including stress tests on wiring aging, fuel line leaks, and fire pump effectiveness.

1.深化火灾专项风险评估：针对此类频繁航行于敏感航线、船龄可能偏高的船舶，应进行特别消防系统评估，对电线老化、油路泄漏、消防泵效能等进行压力测试。

2.Strengthen Dangerous Goods Cargo Control: Strictly enforce the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code). Establish a "zero-tolerance" system and traceability mechanism for acts of misdeclaration, non-declaration, or improper stowage of dangerous goods.

2.强化危险品货物管控：严格执行《国际海运危险货物规则》（IMDG Code）。对于瞒报、漏报或不当积载危险品的行为，建立"零容忍"制度与追溯机制。

3.Upgrade Emergency Communication and Coordination Plans: Ensure clear communication channels and information procedures between the vessel and the coastal rescue centers (e.g., Turkmenistan Sea Rescue Center) of frequently navigated sea areas. Plans should include a standard format for initial incident reports.

3.升级应急通信与协作预案：确保船舶与经常航行海域的沿岸国救援中心（如土库曼海上救援中心）有明确的联络通道和信息对接流程，预案中应包含事故初始报告的标准格式。

For Captains and Crew:

对船长与船员

1.Master the “Golden 180-Second” Procedure: The process from discovering a fire to completing initial alarm, isolation, and attack should be compressed to within 3 minutes through repeated drills to form muscle memory.

1.掌握“黄金180秒”流程：从发现火警到完成初步报警、隔离、攻击的流程，应通过反复演练压缩在3分钟内，形成肌肉记忆。

2.Be Proficient in Using Firefighter’s Outfit:Ensure every crew member knows the location, inspection method, and service life of the firefighter's outfit (EEBD/BA). Clearly establish that entering a fire space requires a team of two with a safety watch posted outside.

2.熟练使用消防员装备：确保每位船员清楚消防员装备（EEBD/BA）的位置、检查方法和使用时限，明确进入火场必须两人同行并有安全员在外监控。

3.Abandon Ship Preparedness “Three Musts”: Upon hearing the abandon ship alarm, one must correctly don a life jacket; must carry an EPIRB and VHF radio; must proceed to the designated assembly station as assigned. Unauthorized action is strictly prohibited.

3.弃船准备“三必须”：听到弃船警报，必须正确穿戴救生衣；必须携带示位标（EPIRB）和VHF对讲机；必须按部署前往指定集合站，严禁私自行动。

4.Post-Incidence Evidence Preservation: If conditions permit and personal safety is ensured, preserve photos, videos, and relevant log records from the initial fire stage as much as possible. This is crucial for subsequent accident investigation and insurance claims.

4.事故后证据保存：如条件允许，在确保人身安全的前提下，尽可能保存火灾初期的照片、视频、相关日志记录，这对后续事故调查和保险理赔至关重要。

Summary: Establish a Strict Fire Prevention System

经验总结：将火灾风险关进制度的“笼子”

This incident serves as a heavy reminder that the risk of fire is always potential. Combating it cannot only rely on the bravery of crew in the moment, but more so on a multi-layered defense system built on “reliable hardware, clear procedures, proficient training, and a supportive culture.”

此次事故是一个沉重的提醒：火灾风险始终潜伏。对抗它的，不能仅靠船员临场的英勇，更要靠一套“硬件可靠、程序清晰、训练有素、文化支撑”的纵深防御体系。

Investment needs to focus more on invisible preventive maintenance; manager's determination should be reflected in the rigorous enforcement of safety regulations; and crew member’s professionalism is demonstrated through daily diligence in equipment checks and full engagement in each drill. Only by transforming every aspect of fire prevention and control into rigorous daily operations can the most correct and rapid response be made to protect human life, vessel, and environment to the greatest extent ,when a fire occurs.

投资需更多倾向于看不见的预防性维护；管理者的决心应体现在对安全规章不折不扣的执行；而船员的专业，则体现在日复一日对设备检查的认真、对每次演练的投入。唯有将火灾防控的每一个环节都转化为日常的严谨操作，才能在浓烟升起时，做出最正确、最迅速的反应，最大程度地保障人命、船舶与环境的安全。