Machinery

Lesson Learned: Onboard Detection of Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S)

A number of individuals reported to the bridge a couple of scent of septic or rotten eggs current everywhere in the vessel. Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) was suspected, reads an IMCA Security Flash.

What occurred?

A toolbox assembly was held on the bridge at which the dangers related to H2S had been mentioned.

The crew, outfitted with gasoline detectors, began to analyze the place the scent was coming from each inside and outdoors. No respiratory PPE was used. This was based mostly on that the scent was noticeable everywhere in the vessel, and that there was no indication of any gasoline earlier than they began trying to find the supply. Final time vessel the identical kind of scent was skilled, this was brought on by wind route and air flow from the sewage tank.

Throughout investigation, a degree of H2S of 170ppm was measured within the Grease Lure room. No gasoline was detected by gasoline detector in different areas onboard, solely a scent. The H2S within the Grease Lure room got here from the drain below the sink as a result of the water entice was dry.

H2S was detected within the air flow from the sewage/gray water tank, within the air flow and never the encompassing space. The scent got here from the sewage/gray water tank by means of a number of drains the place water traps had been dried out onboard in several areas.

What went improper?

Inside H2S emergency procedures not absolutely adopted nor absolutely coated the precise state of affairs.
Respiratory gear or respiratory masks not used.
No documented threat evaluation after detection of H2S.
Routines or process to flush gray water tank after upkeep of sewage plant had been solely partly adopted.
Routines to ensure that drain water traps don’t dry out, weren’t absolutely adopted.

What was the trigger?

Sewage was being re-routed as a result of upkeep of the sewage therapy plant.
Residues in sewage/gray water prompted a build-up of H2S.
A number of drains the place water traps had been dried-out prompted a “scent” detection of H2S.

Classes learnt

Inside procedures don’t absolutely cowl each totally different situation. Actions onboard ought to be based mostly on steady threat analysis and domestically made selections.
The significance of use of PPE in these conditions. Though this was “throughout” the vessel, the crew trying to find the supply had the next threat of being uncovered to gasoline and will have uncovered themselves to hazard.
Fastidiously verify the well being of crew which were uncovered to any gasoline.

Actions

Amended or established procedures:

To flush of gray water tank after upkeep of sewage plant
To make sure that drain water traps don’t dry out

Reviewed H2S emergency procedures.

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Supply: IMCA


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Ryan

Ryan O'Neill is a maritime enthusiast and writer who has a passion for studying and writing about ships and the maritime industry in general. With a deep passion for the sea and all things nautical, Ryan has a plan to unite maritime professionals to share their knowledge and truly connect Sea 2 Shore.

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