Rahul Singh
Campbell Bay, Sept. 13: A container loaded with LPG cylinders reportedly fell into the sea during unloading operations at Campbell Bay Jetty this morning, raising concerns over safety arrangements during the handling of hazardous cargo.
The incident occurred at around 10:30 AM while the MV Shakti, operated by Shakti Shipping, was being unloaded at Campbell Bay. The vessel had earlier arrived at the jetty at around 7:30 AM on September 12 carrying cargo for Campbell Bay, including approximately 1,980 LPG cylinders.
According to information available, the LPG cylinders were transported in two ways. While some were packed inside cargo containers, others were secured separately in the designated open/deck area of the vessel. As a result, not all of the cylinders were being transported inside containers.
During the unloading operation on this morning, one of the containers carrying LPG cylinders was being lifted from the vessel using a crane when the lifting strap or rope reportedly snapped. The container subsequently became trapped between the breakwater jetty and the MV Shakti.
The vessel was then moved slightly away from the area, following which the container fell into the sea.
The container reportedly remained floating in the water. Workers and local personnel at the site secured it with ropes and, with the assistance of a crane, managed to recover it from the sea.
The container was reportedly badly damaged during the incident, while water entered the container and affected several LPG cylinders inside. The damaged container and the affected cylinders were subsequently kept aside.
A detailed inspection and physical counting of the cylinders is expected to determine whether any cylinders were lost, damaged or otherwise affected during the incident.
Fortunately, no loss of life or injuries have been reported so far.
The incident has, however, raised questions about the safety protocols followed during the transportation and unloading of LPG cylinders, particularly because LPG is hazardous cargo requiring careful handling and appropriate emergency arrangements.
Photographs from the site have also raised questions about the safety equipment being used during the recovery operation. The incident has prompted questions over whether all prescribed safety procedures were followed during the unloading operation and whether the lifting equipment, including the strap or rope, had been properly inspected before the container was lifted.
Questions have also been raised over the availability of adequate emergency, rescue and safety arrangements at the jetty in case the container had completely sunk or a more serious accident had occurred.
Among the questions being raised are whether prescribed safety protocols were followed while unloading the LPG container, whether the lifting equipment was properly checked before use, and whether adequate emergency-response arrangements were available at the jetty.
The incident is also not the first occurrence to raise concerns over safety at the Campbell Bay waterfront. Earlier, a vehicle reportedly fell into the sea and required several days of effort before it could be recovered.
With another cargo-handling incident now involving LPG cylinders, concerns are likely to grow over the adequacy of existing safety and cargo-handling procedures at Campbell Bay Jetty.
