On 7/19/1997 , the vessel PETROLAB (Official Number 802334) was involved in a fire in ST. BARBE HARBOUR, NFLD,.

The vessel, with 8 persons on board, experienced the incident while engaged in regular operations. Fortunately, the ship was able to continue its voyage. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and there was none pollution.

This incident was officially recorded by Transport Canada on 10/3/1997 . Weather at the time was reported as overcast with winds from the NE at knots.

On the evening of 19 July 1997 an explosion and fire occurred on board the tanker "PETROLAB" while the crew was washing cargo oil tanks in preparation for loading cargo. The ship's owner was killed and three members of the crew, one of whom later died in hospital, were injured by the explosion. The ensuing on-board fire subsequently spread to the government wharf. The combined efforts of two Canadian Coast Guard vessels and several shore-based fire departments were required to bring the fire under control. As a precaution, the town of St. Barbe was partially evacuated. Both the ship and the government wharf were destroyed before the fire was fully extinguished some 63 hours later. No pollution was reported as a result of the fire.

The Board determined that the explosion occurred due to an accumulation of gasoline vapour in the after cofferdam, 'tween-deck space, and engine-room. The source of ignition was not determined. Factors contributing to the explosion were: the owner's and crew's ignorance of tanker safe working practices; the improvised and unsafe working practices devised to replace a tank-stripping system that had been inoperable for at least 10 years; the fact that there was no safety management system in place; the use of the cofferdam, which was open both to the 'tween-deck and the engine-room, as a slop tank; the use of pumping equipment uncertified for use in a hazardous environment; the fact that the mechanical ventilation for the cofferdam and 'tween-deck area was not used and no atmospheric monitoring was carried out; and the presence of substandard electrical equipment and fittings in the engine-room.