The learning objectives of this chapter are to review procedures for different
types of breathing apparatus and to examine procedures relating to
resuscitation equipment
no one should enter a space where the atmosphere is unsafe or suspect without
wearing breathing apparatus which they are trained to use even to rescue
another person everyone likely to use breathing apparatus must be instructed
by a competent person in its proper use full use should be made of manuals
videos and CD ROMs that provide supporting training but hands-on
sessions should be regularly scheduled as part of the onboard training program
the ship's designated safety officer should ensure that all new crew members
are familiar with the equipment on board and with the relevant procedures
outlined in the safety management system if airline breathing apparatus is to be
used the responsible officer should check the following items that the
supply of air from outside the space is continuous tended by a competent trained
operator and is available only to those working in the space that the hoses
supplying the air are run in a safe and secure manner they should not cross over
rails if a traveling crane is in use and should be laid tidally to one side of a
catwalk if they have to cross a catwalk that is in regular use a small rigid
ramp should cover them so that damage from boots and from trolleys and other
equipment is avoided the airlines should run as straight as possible and sharp
bends and kinks that might inhibit or cut off the supply must be avoided
particular attention should be paid to the points to which the hoses pass over
hatch combing and access doors if the purpose for which such airlines are used
is not immediately apparent to personnel not engaged in the entry task their
notices should be posted at appropriate positions where a mechanical pump is
being used make arrangements for it to be frequently checked to ensure that it
continues to operate properly if arrangements for recharging cylinders
are safe and adequate any air pumped directly into a pipeline or put into
reserved bottles must be filtered and should be as fresh as possible
if the recharging compressor is at a remote location additional personnel
should be assigned to transport and charge the bottles pipelines or hoses
used to supply air should be thoroughly blown through to remove moisture and
freshen the air before connection to breathing apparatus and face masks it is
essential that where the air supply is from a compressor sited in a machinery
space the engineer on watch is notified so that the compressor is not shut down
until the work is completed full pre wearing check and donning procedures
recommended in the manufacturer's instructions are completed that the
wearer of the breathing apparatus fully understands emergency procedures in the
event of failure of the continuous supply
if self-contained breathing apparatus is to be used the responsible officer
should check the following items that there is an adequate charge in the
cylinder of cylinders reference should be made to the pressure gauges on each
set and if required by the safety management system the readings should be
entered on the appropriate control for that a supply of replacement bottles is
available outside the space and that arrangements for recharging cylinders
are safe and adequate any air pumped into reserved bottles must be filtered
and should be as fresh as possible if the recharging compressor is at a remote
location additional personnel should be assigned to transport and charge the
bottles full pre wearing check and donning procedures recommended in the
manufacturer's instructions are completed that the wearer of the
breathing apparatus fully understands the need to exit the space once the
low-level audible alarm whistle sounds it is recommended that resuscitate errs
of an appropriate kind should be provided where any person may be
required to enter a dangerous space where entry is expected to occur at sea
the ship should be equipped with the appropriate apparatus otherwise entry
should be deferred until the ship is docked and use can be made of equipment
obtained from shore personnel assigned to operate the
resuscitation equipment in the event of an emergency should receive adequate
training in its operation once again the ship's designated safety officer should
ensure that any new crew members who will be involved in his operation are
familiar with the particular equipment on board the safety management system
should provide for periodic checking and recording of levels in the oxygen
cylinders this 68,000 deadweight tons bulk carrier was loaded with a cargo of
petroleum coke otherwise known as pet coke the holes of the vessel were access
down vertical ladders at each end of the compartment when she arrived in port for
discharge the ship was boarded by a young surveyor who told the chief
officer in conversation while they were completing the paperwork that he was on
his first job alone without a senior surveyor supervising his work he
explained that his instructions called for samples from each hold the hatches
were still closed of the vessel came alongside and the crew commenced opening
them working from forward but it seemed to be taking longer than usual
the chief officer left the surveyor in the ship's office and went on deck to
try and speed up the process the surveyor decided to start taking his
samples and went on deck himself as there appeared to be a problem with a
hatch forward he decided to start at the aft hold he released the securing jobs
on the starboard side at the aft end of number 8 hold and opened the lid he then
lowered his sampling gear inside the trunk and climbed inside leaving his
notebook and baseball cap on a frame nearby
some minutes later the deck cadet passing down the same side of the deck
spotted the cap and the book and paused to investigate he then spotted the open
hatch and looked inside he could just make out the heel of a boot under the
edge of a frame in the beam of his flashlight the deck cadet ran out to the
side of the ship and jumped up and down waving his arms and shouting until he
gained the attention of a sailor forward then ran back to the hatch he then
evidently entered the hold himself in an attempt to reach the man inside the
Sailor forward who had seen the deck cadet had in the meantime run aft and
quickly appraised the situation luckily a second sailor arrived shortly behind
him and this man had a radio and raised the alarm one man then stayed by the
hatch and the other went to the safety Locker on the poop deck to get her
self-contained breathing apparatus
the chief officer was next to arrive on scene followed almost immediately by the
third officer the chief officer put his leg over the combing of the hatch and
made to climb straight down into the hold as well the third officer reminded
him of the likely dangers of the atmosphere inside the hole but he swung
his other leg over onto the top of the ladder as well the third officer then
shouted at the chief officer and an argument ensued with the third officer
actually grasping the chief officer around the neck and the chief officer
striking out the third officer in return the two of them by now shouting
continuously at each other at this stage the master arrived at the hatch and
immediately ordered the chief officer to climb back out of the hatch the dead
cadet was seen to be in a sitting position on the surface of the cargo
with his back against the access ladder but not moving rescue equipment and more
personnel had now started to arrive and the third officer and second engineer
Don self-contained breathing apparatus and climbed down the ladder two of the
crew under direction of the master opened the hatch
when the rescue team reached the deck cadet he was seen to have vomited and
was semi-conscious but clearly still alive
the surveyor was either unconscious or dead within minutes the two were lifted
back up to the deck the alarm had also been raised on shore and a medical team
from the installation was soon on board the surveyor was confirmed as dead at
the scene and the deck cadet was transferred to hospital where over the
next few days he made a steady recovery the surveyor succumbed to the lack of
oxygen and presence of fumes in the hold and the deck cadet almost suffered an
identical fate the clear thinking and determination of the third officer in
restraining the chief officer despite his seniority undoubtedly prevented a
third casualty