The pouches were expected to be removed by shore authorities at Aqaba, but the ship was directed to store the fumigant residues on deck in drums. The fumigant ignited in the high ambient temperatures and the fire could not be extinguished on deck. The master ordered it thrown overboard as only full immersion in water would allow the residues to burn off without risk. The local authorities didn't see it that way. The master was arrested and the ship was detained, pending several court hearings, for alleged pollution.
Care is needed in handling, storing and disposing of fumigants.
Members should ensure that their charter agreements cover the handling and disposal of such chemicals, making charterers liable for matters arising from incidents like this. Don't ignore the bilge alarm TWO incidents have recently been reported to the Club where the failure of the crew on board a containership to react promptly to and properly investigate the cause of bilge alarm activation has resulted in partial flooding of holds and substantial cargo claims. On one occasion, the bilge alarms were ignored as the crew assumed that they had simply been triggered by rainfall during loading and that there was therefore no immediate need to investigate further. Only after a period of some fourteen hours did a visual inspection show water on the tanktop to a height of about one metre. In the second incident, the alarms were initially ignored.