Lessons Learned: Crew Scalded by Fuel Oil Aboard Cargo Ship

Two Romanian crew of a bulk service that anchored on the Jimah Vitality Ventures (JEV) Terminal, Port Dickson, had been scalded attributable to publicity to gas oil whereas on obligation within the ship’s engine room, experiences Transport Malta.

What occurred?

On the night of 07 April 2021, Rapallo was berthed at Port Dickson, Malaysia. The fourth engineer and an oiler had been tasked with the inner switch of gas oil.

At one time limit, the oiler on obligation heard an odd noise. On investigating, he discovered that gas oil was spilling across the engine-control room platform. The fireplace alarm had activated, and the accident was reported to the grasp. When the chief officer went to help within the engine-room, he observed that each the fourth engineer and the oiler had suffered burns from the new gas oil. First assist was instantly supplied and ultimately, each crew members had been transferred to an area hospital.

Upon inspection of the engine room, it was noticed that the gas oil spillage originated from an open manhole cowl on gas oil settling tank no. 1. The MSIU has made one suggestion to the Firm, designed to maintain observe of inner gas oil transfers on board.

Security actions taken

Through the security investigation, the Firm took the next measures to forestall related accidents on board its vessels:

A security assembly was performed on board with all engineers to debate the accident.
The accident info was shared with all vessels beneath the Firm’s administration.
The FOMP was up to date to incorporate directions on the required actions when the settling and repair gas oil tanks’ stage indicators are inoperative.
The ‘Engine Room Equipment Operation’ process was up to date to incorporate a coverage on the usage of service/settling tanks on vessels fitted with two service tank preparations.
The ‘Engine Room Equipment Operation’ process was up to date to incorporate precautionary measures and checks to be taken earlier than a service/settling gas oil tank is put in service after extended idle durations.
A plan has been agreed to make sure that the injured crew members obtain extra coaching on SMS procedures and tender abilities previous to signing on board Firm vessels.