Martek Marine gas detector advice

The warning comes after poor gas monitoring was highlighted in November last year during an incident in which five seafarers lost their lives by asphyxiation by poisonous gases on the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker, MV Maharshi Krishnatreya.

European Marine Equipment Directive (MED) approval is a legal requirement for equipment aboard EU flagged vessels. A number of non-EU flag authorities who have also signed up to the protocol where oxygen or other flammable gas is potentially present.

Steve Coulson, sales director, Martek Marine, said: “The Marine Equipment Directive relates to all European flag vessels. It’s been found that many of these vessels are carrying portable detectors without MED wheelmarking. If an accident occurs related to a gas hazard and the detectors are found to be not certified to MED standards then corporate manslaughter charges could follow.”

Last year, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted Regulation A.1050 (27), which gives detailed recommendations for entering enclosed space aboard ships.