Investigation Report
Accidental release of vinyl chloride monomer from liquid gas carrier Coral Acropora exposing at least 33 people to vapours
Accidental release of vinyl chloride monomer from liquid gas carrier Coral Acropora exposing at least 33 people to vapours
- MAIB
- Investigation Report
- Hazardous SubstancesMarine Operations
- Functional safetyHazardous substancesHuman factorsLoss of containmentPressure systems
- Cargo transferTank gauging and sampling
- Breathing apparatusGas detectorPressure vesselPumpsValve
- Alarm managementEmergency responseEnergy and process isolationOperating and work procedures
- Marine industry
- Port and quaysideVessel
Summary
MAIB investigates a vinyl chloride monomer release aboard Coral Acropora at Runcorn during preparation for cargo discharge. Pump-assisted sampling transferred cargo between tanks, with open valves and overridden safeguards contributing to over-pressurisation. The report examines segregation, alarm overrides, sampling precautions, ship–shore coordination and emergency arrangements.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Cargo transfer; cargo handling.
Classifications: Tank gauging and sampling.
Classifications: Breathing apparatus; SCBA; self-contained breathing apparatus.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Pressure vessel; pressure vessels.
Classifications: Pumps.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Port and quayside; quayside; harbour; harbor.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Themes: hazardous substances, marine operations.