MCA CHEMICAL STRIKE TEAM CALLED IN

An area of Avonmouth docks was sealed off on 28 April 2001 and chemical strike experts from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) were called in after a container ship was found to have nine damaged boxes of which two contained a mix of potentially volatile chemicals on board.

The MCA, assisting the Port Authority, said that the damaged boxes had been discovered on the Dutch-flagged container ship `Dutch Navigator' when it arrived from Bilbao in Spain late yesterday afternoon. After the incident was discovered the crew were taken off the vessel and stayed locally.

The nine boxes contain a range of substances and goods, including acid, sodium chloride, marble, rock salt, slate and confectionery. None of the boxes leaked on to the ship or into the water, but initially there were fears that if they did, the different substances contained in the two damaged boxes could combine to become volatile and dangerous.

The MCA's chemical strike team was flown in overnight to assist port staff in preventing further damage and in making the area safe. Chemical strike equipment was also transported to the scene from the Agency's stockpile at Milford Haven in Wales.

A stock of an antacid, an alkaline powder, also arrived and after risk assessments were undertaken, the MCA, with stevedores, examined how to unload the rest of the cargo in order to reach the damaged boxes and seal them off safely for removal from the ship. As a precaution breathing apparatus suits were worn throughout the unloading process by harbour staff such as crane drivers after training was given.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) was also informed and was on scene throughout the day.

Robin Middleton, Secretary of States Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention, who was on site during the operation and monitored it to completion said, " The Port asked for our assistance initially in this matter since the mix of chemicals in the two damaged containers required specialist expertise and equipment not immediately available locally. The Havenmaster maintained control throughout the operation supported by the MCA. Our operation throughout has been precautionary, as no leakages had occurred at the time of discovery. Our concern throughout has been to maintain the integrity of the boxes.

" A hydraulically operated bulkhead aft of the containers was removed and also a container of slate, which sat on the top of the damaged sodium chlorite. A further container containing 11 tonnes of lollipops was also removed. The final damaged container of hexaflurosilic acid was successfully removed late this afternoon without incident. The Avonmouth Fire Service remained on scene throughout the operation and was stood down once the chemicals had been removed from the vessel thereby isolating the various elements in this volatile mix."