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A qualified Coast Guard-approved marine drill instructor, Fred Mattera of Point Judith, RI is the owner\/president of North East Safety Training Co. (NESTCo), which conducts fishing vessel drills and inspections and basic safety training workshops.<\/p><\/div>\n
The choice to distribute the multigas detector was prompted by an oxygen depletion incident in 2001, when a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the fish hold resulted in the fatality of one crewman and the serious injury of another crewman.<\/p>\n
We are all familiar with incidents on fishing vessels related to hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and freon poisoning. Such incidents usually happen while the victims are working in confined space and can occur without warning. The victims \u2013 and often would-be rescuers \u2013 are rapidly incapacitated by the concentration of poisonous gases and\/or the displacement of oxygen by the gases.<\/p>\n
A confined space is generally any space that: is large enough to accommodate a person; has limited or restricted means of entry and exit; and is not designed for continuous occupancy. On fishing vessels, confined spaces typically include fish holds, voids, tanks, deep bilges, lazarettes, and net lockers.<\/p>\n
Confined spaces can trap and hold dangerous oxygen-depleted gases. Oxygen depletion is created by oxidation (rust), chemical reaction, combustion, organic decomposition, or displacement by other gases, fumes, or vapors. These conditions can cause asphyxiation.<\/p>\n
Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n Some of the most common oxygen depletion hazards found in confined spaces on fishing vessels are the following.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Signs, symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n It is important to understand that the first symptoms of exposure to hazardous gases might very well be death or incapacitation. As described above, you simply can\u2019t rely on your senses for sufficient warning.<\/p>\n Symptoms of low-level exposure could be headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, flushed skin, respiratory difficulty, diarrhea, excitement, or drowsiness.<\/p>\n The majority and most deadly oxygen depletion occurrences on fishing vessels \u2013 86% \u2013 are caused by hydrogen sulfide and occur in confined spaces. Many casualties are the direct result of others trying to help a crewman in need.<\/p>\n Because of the confined spaces typical on fishing vessels and the extreme danger of these kinds of situations, captains should have plans to prevent hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Plans should include proper methods of response.<\/p>\n Consider posting signs in vulnerable areas.<\/p>\n Fred Mattera<\/p>\n [metaslider id=5688]<\/p>\n In 2008, the Point Club, a mutual insurance and fishing vessel safety group of commercial fishing vessels in the Northeast, handed out free multigas detectors to all of its fishing vessel owners at its annual meeting. This was part of the club and Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Company\u2019s ongoing mission to heighten and implement safety … <\/p>\n\n
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