Despite repeated warnings and on-going training, another life has been needlessly claimed from an enclosed space incident. It seems that enclosed space risks and incidents continue to exact a heavy toll on seafarers, often because basic safety precautions are overlooked. A new Mars Report, issued by the Nautical Institute, refers to an enclosed space fatality on board an oil tanker in which an oil sampler had to be recovered from an empty tank.
The atmosphere was found to be 20.6% oxygen, with hydrocarbon at 26% LEL. The Master approved the risk assessment and work plan for two crew members to enter the space with emergency escape breathing devices. When they reached the tank bottom, the men felt dizzy; one exited but the other collapsed. Despite being warned not to, the Master entered the tank and was overcome. Although both men were brought out by crew wearing breathing apparatus, the Master could not be revived.
