In SwedishDevastating mix-up of controls
During the inspection of a fishing boat, the operation of the rapid fuel shut-off to the main engine was being checked. The officer who went up to the bridge to switch off the diesel supply happened to confuse the fuel shut off with the CO2 release.
The inspector realised that something was wrong when the CO2 alarm sounded and was able to leave the machine room in time. The situation could have become fatal since CO2 will exclude oxygen and suffocation may result.
The inspection was made just after a fishing trip and it may be assumed that the captain was tired. Research shows that one of the risks of tiredness is that it affects people unawares. Reduced performance capacity can in turn lead to operative risks. On larger ships there is a requirement that the CO2 release must have two handles to operate it. This reduces the risk of mistakes, but does not prevent people from thinking wrongly.
SFu
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