MV Pointsman 15 June 1984

Western Area Training

Learning Objectives

At the end of the session the student will be able to: -

• Detail the main hazards at a tanker incident.

• List the benefits of using foam in a pump room fire.

• Identify the improvements made to firefighters kit as

a result of this incident.

The MV Pointsman was a 4,600 gross ton Coastal

Product Tanker.

The vessel had discharged its last cargo of 4,400 tons

of diesel oil and was at Milford for some repair work.

On route to Milford, the ship’s cargo tanks had been

cleaned and rendered gas free by forced ventilation.

TYPICAL LOCATION OF CARGO PUMP ROOM

CARGO PUMP

ROOM

The contaminated water was put in number 4 centre

tank and the pump room cargo lines drained into the

pump room slop tank.

The slop tank was emptied using a portable pump

which necessitated removing a bolted cover on the

access manway .

Slop Tank

Only four of twenty

bolts replaced

The crew reported that the hatch cover and gasket

had been re-secured.

The pump room was washed using hand held hoses and

gas freed by means of the Golar fan.

On arrival at Milford the Captain arranged for repairs to two

valves in the pump room.

A representative chemist attended the ship and issued the

gas free permits for various areas including the pump

room.

The Captain ordered the gas freeing of a tank using the

Golar fan, and this was left running.

1330 hours two dockyard workers arrived and prepared

to start work.

At 1430 hours an explosion occurred in the pump room.

The ships Chief Officer who was only aware of the two

crew members working in there attempted a rescue.

The Fire Brigade was called at 1435 hours and the PDA of

two pumps and an officer was dispatched.

The first pump arrived at 1438 and after hearing that

casualties were in the pump room the Leading Firefighter

committed a team of two BA wearers.

An assistance message was then sent requesting an

additional pump and an Emergency Tender.

The second pump arrived four minutes later together with

a Station Manager who made pumps five. A Group

Manager en route requested the attendance of foam

carriers and other specialist appliances.

Pump Room

The BA team entered the pump room and tried to

locate the casualties

On the second pumps arrival, a further two BA wearers

were committed into the pump room.

The first team had located a casualty two levels down and

assisted by the second team they manhandled him out.

During these initial

minutes of the

incident thick smoke

was being forced out

of the pump room

door,this was made

worse by the Golar

fan that was still

running.

The Captain decided

to switch the fan off.

Golar Fan

A few seconds later at 1454 hours just as the first casualty

had been passed out of the pump room and a third BA team

had entered, a second explosion inside the pump room

occurred.

The six BA wearers who were distributed between all three

levels of the pump room were seriously injured and severely

burned, as were two other brigade officers and two

ambulance officers treating a casualty.

Despite their injuries all the BA wearers managed to assist one

another or climb unaided to the main deck level and out into

open air.

They had only one escape route and the conditions

can be imagined by viewing the following slides.

The BA wearers had this stairway

and a ladder to negotiate.

Ducting to the fan can be seen on the left.

Access to Middle Level

Remote Valve Wheels and other items

provided several trip hazards.

Ladder to Lower Deck in Pump Room.

Lower Deck in Pump Room.

The pumps that were to be repaired.

The RAF assisted with the transportation of the

most severe burns cases to Chepstow.

Following the second explosion it was decided to use Hi-Ex

Foam.

Firefighters wait by

a dockside crane

following the

explosions and

injuries to their

colleagues.

The tank lid that only had a

few of its bolts refitted.

The workmen's spark gun that probably

ignited the first explosion.

CO2 extinguisher found in the

pump room.

An Explosive

Gas Test

Certificate.

MV POINTSMAN

PUMP ROOM LAYOUT

VALVE WHEEL

(ONE ONLY

ILLUSTRATED)

GOLAR

FAN DUCT

VENT

PIPE

CARGO PUMP

(ONE ONLY

ILLUSTRATED)CARGO LINE

TO TANKS

DRAIN VALVE

MANWAY

COVERSLOP TANK

MAIN DECK

LEVEL

VALVE WHEEL

PLATFORM

LEVEL

WALKWAY LEVEL

LOWER

LEVEL

Despite the damage caused by the heat, all of

the BA sets had stood up to the task.

Yellow plastic from melting

leggings on a facemask

Melted personal line pouch

All Fire Kit was examined and found to

be lacking in the extreme conditions.

Plastic Leggings shrank

causing BA wearers difficulties

in climbing the ladders

The Pointsman injuries

played a major part in

improving all firefighters

kit:-

Flash Hoods

Longer Tunics

Fireproof Leggings

Fire Gloves

Details of the Injuries