1 General

The dangerous goods, Propane is scheduled to be transported on Sealink vessel Quandamooka to the LNG project on Curtis island from Port Central. 
The hazard of this type of propane as opposed to the domestic type is that it is odorless and can not be detected by the sense of smell. 
The gas is also heavier than air and if displaced will make it’s way to the lowest point. These units can be transported during the day or night and can be mixed in with other cargo keeping in mind segregation from other DG’s that may be scheduled to travel. 
If segregation is unachievable one of the DG’s is to remain behind and rescheduled on another voyage.
A gas detection system has been fitted to the vessel in March 2015 and there are 6 x sensors on the main deck and another fitted on the underside of the main bridge superstructure. 
There are 3 down the port side (bow, mid-ship, stern) and also 3 on the starboard side. The sensors are numbered as follows:
•    Port Bow #1, Port Mid-ship #2, Port Aft #3 
•    Under bridge #4
•    Starboard Bow #5, Starboard Mid-ship #6, Starboard Aft #7
  The main control box is fitted in the wheelhouse. 
The control box also has an LCD screen which the crew can monitor and locate which monitor(s) on deck are sensing the gas should a gas leak occur to define the location of the leak.

 The detection unit is also fitted with an audible alarm which will activate when the gas density reaches 50% gas/parts of air volume concentration inside the sensor chamber. 
There is also a visual alarm (red light) in the café kitchen on the ceiling which will activate prior to the audible alarm activation. This will activate and illuminate when the gas density reaches 20% gas density inside any of the gas sensor chambers. An audible alarm is also fitted and will activate when the density reaches the 50% level.
The 20% & 50% parameter setting are pre-set by the supplier and are the industry standard for gas detector systems. 
A risk assessment, load procedure and emergency procedure has been drafted up and agreed upon between management and crew to ensure satisfactory controls have been put in place and is as follows below:
IMPORTANT: Any vehicles with fuel or electrical auxiliary motors to run refrigerator units or compressors etc must shut these down prior to loading. If this is not able to be done then the vehicle is not permitted to travel on the same voyage as the propane tanker. 
The vessel may be required to transport up to 4 x Propane tankers on a single voyage. These vehicles should be parked in the open deck area centre lanes of the vessel so that any leakage of gas is able to escape over board.

2 Checklist

The checklist shall be completed via the DataWeb (Here)

3 Requirements

3.1 Loading:

MATE: Ask the driver for a copy of the:

• Unodourised LPG Tanker Gas Detection Checklist and ensure sufficient time is remaining before next check is due to allow the tanker to travel. Check is to be completed and updated before loading if excessive time has lapsed. (Mate to take a copy of original document.)
• Loading Docket. (Mate to take a copy of original document.)
• Dangerous Goods Declaration.(retain as normal)
• Instruct driver to take his gas detector with him to the passenger lounge in the event of a leak.

ENGR/DH:

• The engineer shall have the portable gas detector in his possession and switched on.
• Park LNG tanker(s) one truck/trailer length back from the front ramp door. (in the port centre lane If only one truck). Additional LNG tanker(s) to be parked directly behind these.
• Place cone perimeter.
• Chock wheels.

MASTER:

• Log details in ships log book.

During Transit:

• All Passengers and Crew are to be off the main vehicle deck and remain in the passenger lounge for the duration of the voyage when transporting the bulk propane tanker(s).
• While the vessel is in transit, the deckhand is to obtain the ships portable gas detector from the engineer so they can monitor the exit doors from the passenger lounge and escort any passengers that require to use the toilet facilities to/from the facilities. 
• The engineer or mate is to monitor the exit doors if the deckhand is absent and inform the deckhand if any other persons exit the lounge to proceed down to the deck. 
• If there are over two tankers, they are able to be parked side by side or one behind the other.
• Up to 4 x tankers may be carried on a single voyage.
• The deckhand is to remain on deck until all persons are back in the passenger lounge.
• The engineer is to have the portable gas detector switched on and in his possession while loading is being carried out and shall pass it onto the deckhand to use during transit in the event the deckhand is required to escort a passenger to/from the toilet facilities.

3.2 Unloading:

• Unload vessel as per normal procedures.
• Open and bring online any machinery space fans/vents once LNG tankers have been unloaded and clear of the vessel.

3.3 Emergency Procedure 1:

In the event of a gas leak occurring on the tanker, the following steps are to be followed:

• When visual light alarm (in café kitchen) activates, slow the vessel down so steerage and control of the vessel can be maintained and proceed to the nearest facility.
• Notify VTS and management.
• Notify passengers of situation and to remain in the passenger lounge.
• Escort the tanker driver with his portable gas detector to inspect the potential leak.
• Commence lowering the bow ramp first and then the aft ramp to create an air flow over the deck & attach safety wires if safe to do so.
• Take the gen-set offline & shut it down if it is deemed unsafe to keep it online.
• Isolate MSB cabinet.
• If it is safe to do so, restart starboard generator if taken off line to regain hydraulics and steering to be able to berth.
• On arrival at the barge facility disembark passengers if it is safe to do so.

3.4 Emergency Procedure 2:

In the event of the LNG tank catching fire the following steps are to be followed:

• Send Urgency message.
• Notify VTS, Transit management and any vessels in the vicinity for assistance.
• Start fire pumps and commence boundary cooling. (Do not extinguish fire)
• Notify passengers of the situation, to don life jackets & remain in the passenger lounge.
• Commence lowering the bow ramp first and then the aft ramp to create an air flow over the deck and attach safety wires if safe to do so.
• Consider evacuating passengers off the vessel.

3.5 Reporting:

• The client shall send Transit forecasted notification of Propane or Ethylene in particular & any other DG's to be transported to enable Transit to comply with 48 hour notification.
• Transit will forward the forecasted notification onto the barge transporting the DG, VTS & the RHM.
• The master of the barge shall notify VTS by radio when making the departure call of any scheduled quantity of DG's over 500L that are loaded and also any scheduled DG's of this quantity not travelling. This can also be emailed through by the mate to [email protected]
• Note: DG's not on the load plans are not to be loaded unless approval has been obtained from Transit management.