Page 27: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2023)

SAFETY @ SEA: ENCLOSED SPACES “You’re at the bottom of a 100-step ladder. It can feel claustrophobic and fearful when inside 30,000 cubic meters of a VLCC, ballast tank, or forepeak tank. What reassures you is your trained crew working as a unit with everyone looking out for each other.”

Captain Dave Watkins,

Deputy Director,

CHIRP Maritime t’s nearly 45 years since the tragedy on the ANCO Duke risk assessment form, Watkins would go into the tank with where seven crew died at the bottom of the tank they his breathing apparatus, backup supply, personal O2 meter

Iwere cleaning. and multi-gas detector, torch and spare torch. The tanks had “I was working on chemical tankers then. All the crew felt been forced-ventilated for days until ? nal testing took place. this terrible loss of life and took on tank entries with a height- “Only when we had tested the space remotely, the tank valves ened safety focus,” says Captain Dave Watkins, Deputy Di- isolated with the crew observing, would I proceed with test- rector of the con? dential near-miss reporting service CHIRP ing the tank locally, including inspecting the tanks for safe

Maritime. Since then, enclosed space deaths still occur, al- physical access.” though not in the number they did. The crew needed to see leadership in action and procedures

Watkins has years of experience on chemical and VLCC followed to the letter. No shortcuts. Discipline continued in tankers as an of? cer and master, and has undertaken hundreds the tank. If anyone’s alarm was triggered, work stopped, and of enclosed space entries on tankers, bulk and general cargo the tank was tested and reventilated before the entry process ships. “I was the ? rst in, and I’d be the last out.” There was no was restarted. compromise on his enclosed space entry protocol. Enclosed space tank work demands high alertness and

Re? ecting on his tanker experience, he says: “You’re at the stamina, so the crew should be adequately rested and ? t. Tank bottom of a 100-step ladder. It can feel claustrophobic and work must never be rushed, and there should be no pressure fearful when inside 30,000 cubic meters of a VLCC, ballast and no overcon? dence. These are the human factors that lead tank, or forepeak tank. What reassures you is your trained crew people to take shortcuts. “When tank inspections are carried working as a unit with everyone looking out for each other.” out, your sole focus is just this job, nothing else. No con? ict-

Before ? lling in the enclosed space entry permits and the ing work activities are taking place; the sole focus should be www.marinelink.com 27

MR #6 (18-33).indd 27 6/5/2023 9:23:13 AM