AUGUST 2017 • FOGHORN 21 FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETY system. The Mate and Inspector went to the vessel’s hydraulic equipment room and the Mate stood on a spare parts box in order to apply a heat gun to the heat actuator. The CO2 subse- quently discharged directly above their heads and filled the room. The mate was overcome by the CO2 release and had to be revived by CPR after being pulled out of the space unconscious. The problem was that the Mate directed the heat to a “heat actuator” and not a “heat temperature transmit- ter.” The difference between these com- ponents is substantial. The detector is connected by wires to the monitoring system on the bridge while the release actuator directly connects to its local CO2 system through tubing. The heat actuator when heated creates a slight pressure in the tubing immediately ac- tivating the pneumatic control head of the CO2 bottle, releasing CO2 into the space without delay or warning. Crewmembers were unfamiliar with the vessel’s system and had not referred to the associated manuals. Thus, their testing of the system was conducted without an understanding of the impacts of their actions, placing them and the Coast Guard inspectors at risk. In a second unrelated event, an inspection for certification involving four Inspectors was taking place while technicians were working on the CO2 system. A Coast Guard Inspector in the machinery space was told that CO2 technicians were going to release the CO2, which was not part of the planned inspection. He was informed that the system became accidently primed for release when the pilot system was activated by a technician-in-training. As the technician was reconnecting the cable actuated release levers attached to the tops of the bottles, the activa- tion cables remained connected to the levers. When the bottles were moved later in the servicing process, the cable tension increased to the point where the levers were lifted resulting in the release of charged bottles against a closed valve which prevented immediate release into the space. The technicians ultimately decided they needed to release the entire engine room CO2 system to remedy the situation. They communicated their intentions to the vessel’s engineers, who performed an accountability of all personnel in the space. However, their count was incorrect as they missed a Coast Guard Inspector who was still in the engine room. Only after the Inspector’s partner realized his associate was missing was another more thorough sweep of the engine room made and the missing inspector found. Even after clearing the engine room the situation remained hazardous as various personnel stood by in the engine control room while the gas was released. After realizing the magnitude of the CO2 being released, the personnel in the control room evacuated to the vessel’s main deck VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT (AMERICAS) Inc. Tel: (786) 513-9900, email: usasales@VIKING-life.com, WWW.VIKING-LIFE.COM Shipowners around the world rely on VIKING to quickly and efficiently supply and service IBAs, lifejackets, liferafts and more. For added convenience and cost control we can offer USCG equipment exchange, letting you swap safety equipment due for service with freshly serviced products directly at pier - at a fixed annual fee. Call your local VIKING representative today to get the safety equipment you need – where and when you need it. The power to simplify safety VIKING IBA Rugged 6-150 person USCG-approved IBAs for inland and coastal waters. New VIKING PV9521 solid lifejackets Foghorn_W4,625xH7_july2017.indd 1 25/07/17 08.47