Mars

摘要

A fully pressurised gas tanker experienced a major leak of liquefied propane during loading from a shore terminal. The leak was sealed 29 hours later, after an estimated 66 tonnes of propane had been lost to atmosphere. After completion of loading, a cargo surveyor boarded to take samples of the cargo. To ensure a truly representative sample, the chief officer arranged to keep the cargo in circulation during the sampling, using the tank's deep well pump. After taking the first tank's sample, and while the chief officer was securing that tank, the cargo surveyor proceeded to the second tank. As he turned the ship's connection to engage his sampling device, the sampling valve assembly came off in his hand, causing free release of pressurised gas from the open end of the branch pipe.