Crew member fatality onboard a bulk carrier at the Gladstone anchorage
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released the preliminary report of its investigation of a crew member fatality onboard a bulk carrier at the Gladstone anchorage, Queensland on 20 March 2013.
On 20 March 2013, an engineer on board the bulk carrier Nireas was fatally injured after beingstruck by flying debris when the observation window of a main air receiver drainage pot exploded.At the time of the explosion, the ship was at anchor off Gladstone, Queensland, and the engineerwas carrying out the routine task of draining water from the pressurised air receiver.
Initial analysis of the accident indicates that the observation window glass of the drainage potexploded when it was exposed to the air receiver pressure. However, all of the factors whichcontributed to the failure of the glass have not yet been established.
The investigation is ongoing and it will focus on determining why the observation glass failed,whether the drainage pot was fit for purpose and whether there were any underlying issues inrelation to the design, construction, testing, or certification of the drainage pot.
You may view full investigation reporthere.
Source: ATSB
