TANKER ACCIDENT STUDY

Between December 12 and 30, 1969 three 210,000 dwt tankers, "Marpessa," "Mactra" and "King Haakon VII," suffered severe damage as a result of cargo tank explosions. The "Marpessa" sank as a result of the explosions. All these accidents occurred under remarkably similar circumstances during washing of the center tanks. The first report of the committee investigating the accidents developed several conclusions. One is the need for better instruments to test gas concentrations in tanks. Next is to learn the possible source of ignition with particular emphasis on static electricity. Equally important was a recommendation to use the ICS interim tank washing guide in an effort to avert future accidents.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Interim report by API Tanker Accident Study Group.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Petroleum Institute

  1220 L Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20005-4070
• Publication Date: 1970-11

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 43 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cleaning; Container tanks; Marine safety; Safety; Ship operations; Standards; Storage tanks; Tankers; Ventilation systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safety standards
• Old TRIS Terms: Tank cleaning; Tank venting; Tanker operations; Tanker safety
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00046139
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Petroleum Institute
• Report/Paper Numbers: Intrm Rpt
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 18 1973 12:00AM