1981 - Rafaela

A fire broke out on the Panamanian cargo ship Rafaela during discharge operations in Mombasa harbour on November 19, 1981. The fire broke out in hold No. 4 which contained, amongst other things, general cargo, cars, second-hand clothes, just under 100 drums of sodium sulphide and an unspecified quantity of oxidizing chemicals. The Rafaela was en route from northern Europe (her last port of call was Antwerp) to East African ports.

A fire broke out on the Panamanian cargo ship Rafaela during discharge operations in Mombasa harbour on November 19, 1981. The fire broke out in hold No. 4 which contained, amongst other things, general cargo, cars, second-hand clothes, just under 100 drums of sodium sulphide and an unspecified quantity of oxidizing chemicals. The Rafaela was en route from northern Europe (her last port of call was Antwerp) to East African ports.

As a dangerous good, sodium sulphide can be carried as 1) anhydrous, 2) with less than 30% water of crystallization, or 3) hydrated with at least 30% water. in the former two cases, it is classified as a Class 4.2 under the IMDG Code because the solid is liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport, or to heating up on contact with air and being liable to catch fire. It reacts with water to produce highly toxic hydrogen sulphide gas. In the hydrated form, it is classed as a Class 8 under the IMDG Code because it is strongly hydrolyzed in aqueous solution and gives an alkaline reaction forming sodium hydroxide in the process.

The drums of chemicals exploded while the fire was raging, spreading flames to the adjacent hold. The port and local fire brigades tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze. Eventually, the ship was moved from the quayside out into the fairway where fire fighting tugs continued to pump water into her holds. The fire was not extinguished until November 25. Following the damage caused by the fire, the vessel was declared a constructive total loss.