201858 Scavenging space explosion

A cargo vessel was drifting, but preparations to start the engine and proceed for pilot pick-up were underway. Engine room crew proceeded to do an ‘air blow’ but soon afterwards smoke was seen coming from the indicator valve. They were then unable to start the main engine.

 

An investigation found that the scavenging space had been severely damaged by an explosion, especially the non-return valve manifold box. Further investigation found that ship’s personnel had cleaned the scavenging space while the ship was drifting. It appears they had used flammable materials for the cleaning task. The cleaning materials vaporised forming a combustible atmosphere in the scavenging space. When the combustion wave in the cylinder propagated to the scavenging space, an explosion occurred.

 

 

• Never use flammable materials such as kerosene or gas oil to clean areas with high operating temperatures, eg the scavenging space.