The Nautical Institute’s latest Mars Report describes another fatality as a result of fumigation poisoning. According to the Institute, the accident shows how important it is to take continuous or very frequent gas readings when carrying fumigated cargo.
The Nautical Institute gathers reports of maritime accidents and near-misses. It then publishes these so-called Mars (Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme) Reports (anonymously) to prevent other accidents from happening. This is one of these reports.
A handy-sized bulk carrier was loaded with wheat, and the cargo was fumigated after completion of loading. When the fumigation procedure was undertaken, the hatch covers, ventilators and access hatches to all five cargo holds were sealed. The vessel then departed for a trans-oceanic voyage.
The crew had been briefed on the dangers of fumigation gas, and the master told the crew to stay alert for the smell of garlic or decaying fish as this scent had been added to the gas to allow easy detection.
During the first three days of the voyage, phosphine gas readings were taken at regular intervals at the upper deck accommodation and the forecastle deck. All readings were zero ppm. On the fourth day, the gas test results showed that the accommodation on upper deck contained 0.1 ppm of phosphine gas. According to best practices, an eight-hour average respiratory exposure to phosphine gas should not exceed 0.3 ppm and a short-term exposure should not exceed 1 ppm.
Also read: Pin holes create pathway to fatal reckoning
Bad odour in cabin
On the same day, a crew member remarked that he had noticed a bad odour inside his cabin. A test in the cabin showed no phosphine gas, but the crew member was relocated to another cabin.
The next day, a phosphine gas reading of 2 ppm was measured at the upper deck alleyway. The master called muster stations and instructed all crew to evacuate their cabins at once. The engine cadet did not appear at muster, so two crew went to his cabin where he was found in a state of partial paralysis. The victim was taken outside for care. A phosphine gas reading of 9 ppm was measured in his cabin, which was next to the cabin of the crew member who had been relocated the previous day.
Over the next hour, the victim’s vital signs deteriorated. A request for radio medical advice was sent and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was carried out, but the crew were unable to revive the victim. His body was brought ashore at a port of refuge two days later.
Investigation findings
The official investigation found, among other things, that a permanent access light for the aft access ladder of No. 5 cargo hold had been installed during construction. A conduit was used to run the electric cable between the accommodation and No. 5 cargo hold. The conduit ends were not sealed, contrary to best practices and classification rules. This defect allowed the phosphine gas to infiltrate the accommodation area and enter the crew cabins.
Also read: Fumigated cargoes on ships require extreme care
Advice from The Nautical Institute
- The suitability of a vessel for fumigation is a critical factor and could mean the difference between life or death. The timeworn critique that old, unsuitable vessels were the weak link in the fumigation system does not always apply. In this case, a “man-made” defect rendered the vessel unsuitable for fumigation.
- Deadly fumigation gases can take several days to infiltrate accommodation areas, even when a clear passage exists, as in this case. Continuous or very frequent testing is the best defence against this danger.
Mars Editor’s note; this report initially appeared as Mars Report 202210, but is repeated here as it is in line with this month’s reports.
Mars Reports
This accident was covered in the Mars Reports, originally published as Mars 202617. A selection of the Mars Reports are also published in the SWZ|Maritime magazine. The Nautical Institute compiles these reports to help prevent maritime accidents. That is why they are also published (in full) on SWZ|Maritime’s website.
More reports are needed to keep the scheme interesting and informative. All reports are read only by the Mars coordinator and are treated in the strictest confidence. To submit a report, please use the Mars report form.
Picture: The electric cable conduit through which the phosphine gas reached the accommodation (image by The Nautical Institute).
Also read: HFO vapours contribute to slow-motion death spiral
