A latest marine casualty, leading to a fireplace and extreme accidents to 2 crewmembers, highlights the dangers related to Liquified Pure Fuel (LNG), performing sizzling work in hazardous zones, and the need of sustaining a sturdy lockout/tagout program.
Investigation
The Coast Guard’s investigation revealed that two crewmembers have been conducting sizzling work in a recognized hazardous zone on the air fort deck of a tri-fueled vessel (LNG, diesel, battery). Unaware that the vessel was at the moment utilizing LNG as its gasoline supply, the crew initiated sizzling work in an space they’d have in any other case prevented had they recognized in regards to the energetic gasoline supply getting used on the time. Compounding this threat, the actuator for the engines’ purge valve malfunctioned, inflicting methane vapors to vent into the recent work space. Mistaking the world as being gas-free, the crewmembers struck a lighter, igniting the methane and leading to extreme burns and a fireplace onboard.
The Worldwide Code of Security For Ships Utilizing Gases or Different Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) part 18.7.1 requires “Sizzling work within the neighborhood of gasoline tanks, gasoline piping and insulation methods that could be flammble, contaminated with hydrocarbons, or which will give off poisonous fumes as a product of combustion shall solely be undertaken after the world has been secured and confirmed secure for warm work and all approvals have been obtained.” Though the IGF Code was not particularly relevant to this vessel on the time of the incident, it’s extremely recommedned that this prescriptive requirement be considered on all vessel’s working with LNG as a gasoline supply. The crewmembers on this incident have been allowed to conduct sizzling work within the space with out comparable checks and procedures in place, asdescribed within the IGF Code.
Suggestions
The Coast Guard strongly recommends that vessel homeowners, operators, and different stakeholders:
Assessment and Implement Lockout/Tagout Procedures. Guarantee LNG methods are tagged out earlier than conducting any sizzling work in or close to hazardous areas. Crewmembers should confirm the lockout/tagout standing of the system earlier than starting work.
Develop Multi-Gas System Procedures. Set up procedures to make sure all crewmembers are conscious of the extra hazards posed by multi-fuel methods, with a transparent give attention to what work is permissible primarily based on the energetic gasoline kind.
Marine inspectors, investigators, and surveyors are urged to stay vigilant about these points and take corrective actions as wanted.
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Supply: USCG
