The Malta Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) has released its final report on the fire incident aboard a chemical tanker.
The Incident
On 28 January 2024, an able bodied seafarer (AB) on board the tanker was severely scalded by steam. The accident happened during cargo tank washing and steaming operations.
The vessel had just left the port of Altamira, Mexico when the accident occurred. The vessel returned to port where the injured crew member was transferred to a hospital. Despite the first aid given on board, and the more specialised treatment in hospital, the injured crew member succumbed to his injuries about two weeks after the accident.
The safety investigation determined that the failure mechanism of the steam inlet valve to the cargo tank cleaning water heater was most likely to have been fatigue and that no sudden event precipitated the failure. When the steam valve failed, the AB was engulfed in a dense cloud of hot steam and consequently, suffered severe burn injuries. He also suffered damage to his lungs due to hot steam inhalation.
Safety actions
- Mandatory requirement was imposed on all deck and engine room staff to complete a training module on steam handling operations.
- A QHSE alert on the outcome of the Company’s investigation has been shared across the fleet.
- All vessels were required to prepare ship-specific instructions for lining up the steam system for heating or steaming.
- The Cargo Operation Manual and Job Hazard Analysis have been reviewed, and guidance has been included to consider the findings of the internal investigation.
- A critical safety task analysis process has been drafted to be incorporated into the SMS, during its next revision.
Recommendations
The company is recommended to:
- 02/2025_R1 – examine all steam valves and mountings in their fleet, using NDT techniques, if necessary, to verify their integrity.
- 02/2025_R2 – circulate the finding of the safety investigation within its fleet.
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Source: Transport Malta
