The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that while docked in Galveston, Texas, the S-Trust experienced a fire on its bridge when a lithium-ion battery inside a Motorola handheld radio exploded. Surveillance footage captured the terrifying moment: a cell burst into flames, followed seconds later by a second cell exploding and scattering burning debris across the room. Within 10 minutes, the entire bridge was engulfed in fire.
Thankfully, no one was injured. But the cost of the damage was estimated at over $3 million.
This incident is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of lithium-ion battery systems—even small devices like radios or power banks can lead to catastrophic fires in enclosed spaces. The fire spread rapidly, aided by the intense heat generated by the lithium-ion cell rupture, which ignited other materials in the bridge area.
NTSB’s investigation also found the ship’s safety manual did not include procedures for lithium-ion batteries—something many operators may overlook.
At AVD Fire Ltd, we’ve developed a suite of fire suppression solutions specifically for lithium-ion battery fires, including:
AVD Fire Blankets – Designed to contain and suppress fires from e-scooters, battery packs, or small electrical devices.
AVD Lithex Fire Extinguishers – Engineered to cool and encapsulate burning lithium-ion batteries, stopping thermal runaway and re-ignition.
Training & Best Practice Guidance – Supporting organisations with safe storage, charging, and disposal of lithium-powered equipment.
This case reinforces several critical safety steps recommended by NTSB and aligned with AVD Fire guidance:
Store lithium-ion powered equipment in dedicated fire-safe areas.
Never charge devices unattended, especially on flammable surfaces.
Inspect batteries for damage regularly and discard any compromised units.
Equip bridges, server rooms, and cabins with suitable lithium-ion extinguishing devices
The S-Trust incident could have ended far worse. While the bridge was empty at the time, the outcome might have been tragic under different circumstances. Lithium-ion battery incidents are increasing across the maritime sector—and proactive safety measures are now a necessity.
AVD Fire Ltd is here to help you build resilience into your safety plan. Contact our team today to discuss lithium-ion fire protection for your vessel, transport network, or critical infrastructure.
📩 [email protected]
🔗 Explore our lithium-ion fire safety solutions
