Safety on board vessels - be Carbon Monoxide aware

To mark this year’s Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, we’re offering advice for all seafarers to guard against the often ‘hidden’ dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning while on board any vessel.


Silent killer

Carbon monoxide is often described as the silent killer and is a hazard in many walks of life. Vessels of all sizes are designed to keep water out so they are also very effective containers for unwelcome and potentially dangerous gases and fumes. 

Simon Graves, Assistant Director UK Technical Services (Operations) said, “Every CO death we come across is preventable. A correctly installed and maintained Carbon Monoxide detector could be the difference between life and death. All owners, be they commercial or private, must pay special attention to the combustion, exhaust, and ventilation systems during maintenance to reduce the risks.”   

CO is produced when carbon-based fuel used in appliances and engines such as oil and diesel doesn’t burn completely and build-ups can quickly happen in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces. It’s an odourless and colourless gas so its presence won’t be obvious. It’s the responsibility of vessel owners to protect the safety of all those on board but every seafarer also needs to be CO safety aware.

Top tips

For all types of vessel, including pleasure vessels, there are three simple steps that can be taken:

1.           Fit an appropriate CO alarm and ensure the batteries/power supply are kept fully updated so it is in full working order at all times – Test it regularly using the test button provided.

2.           Install and maintain onboard equipment properly and in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines. Employ a competent marine engineer for all safety-critical work. For example, when fitting a gas cooker in a galley.

3.           Service and inspect engines regularly: Engine efficiency and essential exhaust systems can degrade over time, particularly in corrosive maritime environments. Regular servicing can help protect against CO dangers and protect the value of your investment.

About our Survey and Inspection team

The MCA’s professional Survey and Inspection team represent the UK Ship Register’s flagged fleet of commercial vessels and ensures they operate in line with legislation. They also inspect vessels from around the world in UK waters. For the UK Ship Register, the team conducts in-depth vessel surveys and inspections both internationally and domestically which cover ship construction, equipment and on-board operations.

 

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