The West of England P&I Club has issued loss prevention bulletin to advise on measuring methane gas levels in cargo holds when uploading coal cargoes.
Some coal cargoes can produce methane (CH4). Since methane is a flammable gas, the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code requires vessels loaded with coal to monitor the concentration of methane inside the cargo holds via external sampling points. Portable gas detectors are carried for this purpose. However, in the Club’s recent experience it would appear that some crew members may not be aware that the readings for methane may be incorrect if the amount of oxygen inside the hold is low.
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