200270 Tank Entry

Tank Entry
Report No. 200270

A void space in a gas vessel was opened up for inspection by ship's staff prior to a Class Survey. All safety procedures were observed as per Company requirements and the void space had been ventilated for approx. 40hrs.

The following staff entered the tank to conduct the inspection: the vessel's Superintendent, Master and Chief Officer. The Bosun and an AB were in attendance at the entrance of the tank and the 3rd Officer was on the Bridge. After 30 minutes, the Chief Officer left the tank and the Superintendent and Master followed behind. The Master and Superintendent rested inside the tank on the platform just below the tank entrance to catch their breath, after a few minutes the Superintendent attempted to leave the tank but felt weak, he was helped out of the tank by the crew on deck. The Master then left the tank, he was also feeling very weak but did not need assistance. It took them some time to recover.

The void space was coated with fine sooty particles which is assumed to have been generated during IG operations. The space had been checked for hydrocarbon gases but none were detected, the vessel could not test for toxic gases as no test equipment for toxic gases was carried onboard. The Tank had been tested for oxygen levels and was found to be within limits. An investigation was held onboard and the following points were noted:

1. The vessel does not have a toxic gas detector, all vessels should be provided with this equipment.
2. Persons entering a space which is contaminated with fine particles of soot should carry ELSA sets.
3. Face Masks are to be worn, however in this instance they may have been of a limited effect.
4. The Master and Superintendent had probably inhaled a large amount of soot particles which were suspended in the tank atmosphere and which in turn decreased the absorption of oxygen through the lungs. The faces of the Master and Superintendent, after exiting the tank, were uniformly black due to the soot.
5. The ventilation and the movement of the personnel within the tank had disturbed the soot particles.
6. The origin of the soot particles to be investigated and rectified.
7. Cleaning of the void spaces to be considered in the future.

Addendum by Ed. I was once (correctly) admonished by the Superintendent for putting myself (as Master) and the Chief Officer in a situation where we could have both been incapacitated through inhalation of fumes. This would have left the vessel at sea and for subsequent port entry under the command of a Junior Officer. I would recommend that this advice is added to the list of points noted above (this particular vessel could have been left without a Superintendent as well).