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MAIB highlights Jo Tankers' shortcomings
(Nov  26  2009)

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has issued a safety flyer to the chemical tanker ‘Jo Eik’ and related industries, following an incident while the vessel was on the River Tees.

On 6th May this year, the chief officer and an AB on board the chemical tanker were overcome as they entered an area of the main deck, which contained released cargo vapours. They were rescued and taken to hospital, where they made a full recovery.

‘Jo Eik’ had loaded a cargo of MARPOL category ‘X’ crude sulphate turpentine (CST) in Savannah, Georgia. Arrangements were made for a ship-to-ship transfer with the chemical tanker ‘Puccini’ while alongside the Vopak Terminal on

Teesside.

Following the s-t-s transfer, ‘Jo Eik’ carried out a mandatory MARPOL prewash using portable washing equipment as the majority of the fixed washing systems were defective.

The washing machine water supply hose was passed through P10 cargo tank inboard Butterworth hatch, which remained open. As the cargo tank was washed, water mist containing cargo vapours escaped through the open hatch as the tank’s atmosphere was agitated. The vapours accumulated around the Butterworth hatch in what was an unidentified enclosed space.

The on watch AB entered the area to isolate the cargo pump hydraulic motor valves. He was immediately overcome and lost consciousness. The chief officer and another AB attempted to rescue him. Neither was wearing breathing apparatus.

As a result, the chief officer was rapidly overcome. The AB also suffered the effects of vapour inhalation/oxygen depletion, but managed to escape unaided.

There were two material safety data sheets (MSDS) in circulation for the CST. The cargo specific MSDS held by the vessel identified hydrogen sulphide (H2S) as a constituent part. The other MSDS passed to the terminal staff and to ‘Puccini’ did not.

The CST cargo hazards were not recognised by the ‘Jo Eik’s chief officer as proper reference was not made to the MSDS and the crew were not informed because a Teesside pre-arrival conference was not carried out. This contributed to inadequate risk control measures being established.

Some areas on the deck fell into the category of enclosed spaces as defined by the IMO. This was not recognised by the crew, so the appropriate safety precautions were not taken. There was also a complacent attitude regarding the need for respiratory protection during cargo operations. The requirement was not enforced and this put the crew at risk.

Jo Tankers has established a range of measures to address its organisational shortcomings. These include instructions for management of unfamiliar cargoes, surveying the deck to identify and label areas falling into the enclosed space category, the use of personal gas detectors and repair of the fixed tank washing systems.

A number of recommendations were also made to Jo Tankers, including actions to ensure pre-arrival conferences are carried out, which identify the cargo risks and safety measures required, for the diligent completion of cargo operation checklists and for enforcing the use of respiratory protection in accordance with the ship’s quality management system (QMS).

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