MV Feng Hui Hai, was anchored at Navlakhi port, Gujarat, India, awaiting berthing to discharge her coal cargo. On Sunday, 22nd April 2018, vessel alerted port officials about three crew members in emergency needing urgent medical attention.
Jamnagar Superintendent of police (SP) Pradip Shejul said
One of the crew members opened the door of a coal container and he was affected by the gas generated from the coal as it had remained packed for long. Two fellow crew members rushed in to help him but they too were affected by the gas. They were rushed to Jamnagar by a tug where the doctors declared two of them as brought dead while the third one is undergoing treatment
Vessel had loaded coal from Indonesia to India. Further investigation will reveal the actual cause of this tragic death of two sailors.
Coal is listed in International Maritime Solid Bulk Carrier (IMSBC) Code as Group B (cargoes with a chemical hazard) and Group A (cargoes which may liquefy).
Chapter VI, Regulation 3 of the IMSBC Code requires vessels carrying coal to have on board measuring instruments for detecting presence of gas and level of oxygen in cargo holds.
Entry into enclosed space
Any space which has limited openings for entry and exit, inadequate ventilation and not designed for continuous worker occupancy is an Enclosed Space.
On board ships enclosed spaces are cargo spaces, double bottoms, fuel tanks, ballast tanks, cargo pump-rooms, cargo compressor rooms, cofferdams, chain lockers, void spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces, boilers, engine crankcases, engine scavenge air receivers, sewage tanks, and adjacent connected spaces etc. From 1st January 2015 amendment of SOLAS regulation III/19, on emergency training and drills, mandate enclosed-space entry and rescue drills, which will require crew members with enclosed-space entry or rescue responsibilities to participate in an enclosed-space entry and rescue drill at least once every two months.
SOLAS Regulation III/19 is revised by including mandatory enclosed space entry and rescue drills.
3.6.1 Enclosed space entry and rescue drills should be planned and conducted in a safe manner, taking into account, as appropriate, the guidance provided in the recommendations developed by the Organization (
- checking and use of personal protective equipment required for entry;
- checking and use of communication equipment and procedures;
- checking and use of instruments for measuring the atmosphere in enclosed spaces;
- checking and use of rescue equipment and procedures; and
- instructions in first aid and resuscitation techniques.
Is Shipping container an enclosed space? Do we need to take precautions before entering a shipping container? Click here to know more
WhatsApp your queries
Dear Shashi,
What kind of toxic gas would coal emit ? Or the fumigation agent ?
Regards and thank you for this news.
Kiefer,
Coal may produce Methane, Carbon Monoxide and also deplete oxygen in the cargo hold.
Regards/Shashi