200533 Gas Bottle Explosion

Gas Bottle Explosion
MARS Report 200533

During an inspection of one of our Company's vessels, the Surveyor showed me the attached pictures which were taken after an incident took place on another Company's vessel (he didn't disclose name of the Company or the vessel's name). As you can see, it occurred due to a gas bottle exploding in a lifeboat during the process of charging it up from the Breathing Apparatus Air Compressor.

The Master of the vessel was in proximity of the lifeboat and he was very seriously wounded. The vessel was 8 years old. The bottle was quite old with different numbers/dates. We will instruct our office and sea staff and at the same time we have decided to inform you in the interest of other mariners