Incident description
As discharge of a cargo of coal progressed,
the level in one of the cargo holds had lowered to the point where stevedores
needed to enter for cargo trimming operations using bulldozers. The cargo hold
ladders were completely enclosed within a trunk, with openings at the main deck
and at the lower part of the hold only. In accordance with shipboard SMS
procedures, it was necessary for the crew to arrange ventilation and testing of
the trunk space atmosphere prior to permitting entry of personnel. The third
officer instructed two crew members to open the cargo hold access hatch and
install a ventilation fan at the entrance, a task which should not normally
have required the crew to enter the hold. When the third officer arrived with
the portable gas instrument, he saw the hatch open but the fan was not running.
He then noticed that both crew members were lying unconscious on the hold
ladder platforms within the trunk. The alarm was raised and rescue of the crew
members was performed using self-contained breathing apparatus. Unfortunately,
one crew member died and the other, although resuscitated, suffered the
debilitating health effects of gas poisoning and oxygen starvation.
Analysis
It is not known why the crew found it necessary to enter the hold as the
surviving crew member had no recollection of the incident. However, this
tragedy highlights the dangers associated with unplanned entry into cargo holds
which should always be treated as enclosed spaces, particularly when loaded
with cargoes which may deplete oxygen and/or emit flammable gasses and/or toxic
gasses. Coal is a cargo which can present all of these hazards. Although the
hold access trunk serves the purpose of protecting the ladders from stevedore
damage, the very restricted space created with only limited openings increases
the hazard to personnel, particularly when considering that the lower opening
may be obstructed with cargo.
Lessons Learnt
Lessons Learnt
Ø All crew should be properly trained to recognise the
hazards presented by the enclosed spaces on board and in safe entry procedures
as per SOLAS requirements and IMO recommendations
Ø Ship managers, Masters and crew must have a zero tolerance
attitude to unplanned entry into enclosed spaces or breach of SMS procedures.
Ø Cargo holds are some of the most dangerous spaces on
board vessels and should always be assumed to be dangerous until proven
otherwise.
Ø Enclosed space openings need to be rigorously controlled.
Cargo hold access hatches should be clearly labelled with warning notices
prohibiting entry without an enclosed space permit.
The UK Club’s Loss
Prevention team combines practical solutions that address Members’ needs and
claims experience with research into the wider issues that impact directly on
P&I insurance and the Club’s exposure to claims. Every year, the UK P&I
Club deals with thousands of claims using the expertise and experience of its
professional claims handlers, ex-seafarers and lawyers. With five decades of
research into loss prevention issues the Club has developed a formidable body
of technical material on maritime risks. Each month the Loss Prevention team
aim to share some of the Club’s claims experience, by looking at real case
examples and identifying lessons learnt to help Members avoid similar incidents
– you can find past lessons learnt here:
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου