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X-Press Pearl disaster: Singapore transport safety body finds fault with crew and Colombo port
View(s):The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore has found a string of shortcomings on the part of the ship crew and the Colombo Port, leading to the X-Press Pearl disaster.
Among the findings was that when the leak from the container was first detected at the Port of Hamad in Qatar, despite it having placards of identity, the crew did not check the details of the cargo and proceeded to use sawdust to contain the leak.
When nitric acid from the container was found to be leaking, a detailed inspection was not carried out early to determine the cause of the leak, and an opportunity was missed, the bureau notes.
Although efforts were made to offload the container, there seemed to be a lack of coordinated efforts to ensure that this was done expeditiously for the safety of the crew and the ship.
The shipmaster’s request to offload the container was not supported by the ports, citing insufficient information or insufficient capability to handle a leaking container of nitric acid. The coordination between the company and the ports in Hamad and Hazira (in India) could have been better, the Singapore bureau observes.
Ships have limited resources to handle a leaking container, especially if they contain dangerous goods. The offloading of the container from X-Press Pearl may have prevented the subsequent risk of fire or explosion, as the nitric acid leakage could have been handled appropriately by relevant personnel, according to the bureau.
None of the crew (including the emergency team) donned SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) sets and firemen’s outfits at the early stage of the emergency to gather more accurate information on the situation in the cargo hold and to fight fire in the presence of toxic smoke.
The response from Colombo Port Control to assist the ship was deemed limited. There was no follow-up after a team of firemen assessed the situation onboard the ship, the bureau notes.
The tugs sent for firefighting had various limitations and did not offer continuous firefighting support. The master did not receive an answer from Colombo Port Control on the several requests made for urgent berthing before the fire went out of control, the transport safety investigation bureau claims.
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