In the latest issue of loss prevention newsletter Signals, the North P&I Club advises operators on the liquefaction issues and describes seafarers’ role when loading such cargoes.
The latest Intercargo Bulk Carrier Casualty Report, which covers the years 2005 – 2015, attributes the loss of 102 seafarers’ lives and 11 vessels to liquefaction incidents over the period. Liquefaction incidents accounted for 40% of the lives lost in the 71 incidents reported. This suggests that when vessels are lost to liquefaction the capsize occurs quickly and results in heavy loss of life.
Not surprisingly safety issues surrounding liquefaction continue to be a major concern at IMO and with various industry bodies such as Intercargo and the International Group of P&I Clubs. Ultimately the IMSBC Code places responsibility for providing safe cargo with shippers, but seafarers should take steps to help ensure their safety when cargo that may liquefy is loaded.
The Seafarer’s Role When Loading Cargoes That May Liquefy
One way to describe the seafarer’s role is Knowledge + Vigilance = Safety
Knowledge might consist of knowing what the IMSBC code schedule says about the cargo, knowing what the IMSBC Code says in general about cargoes that may liquefy, knowing about similar incidents, knowing what advice is contained in industry safety briefings and club circulars and using your experience of similar cargo.
Vigilance is exercising your knowledge before, during and after loading. It might include close inspection of shipper’s documentation, assessing the cargo in the stockpiles, using can tests, checking for splattering during loading, ensuring the cargo remains consistent throughout loading, ensuring that rejected cargo is not loaded, checking for signs of liquefaction and so on.
Explore more loss prevention issues of North P&I Club’s Signals here.
Source: North P&I Club
