M/V RENTALA; Southwest Pass, Louisiana

Southwest Pass, Louisiana | 1989-Jan-16

Initial Notification: On January 16, 1989, one of the M/V RENTALA's holds, containing 7,936 tons of ferrosilicon 50% grade, was wetted when a through-hold seawater line ruptured. Onboard measurements using a Drager Model 31 and sampling tubes indicated that arsine and phosphine gases were present in the exhaust air coming from the hold at levels up to .25 parts per million (ppm) and .5 ppm, respectively. The damaged water line was secured and fluid that had filled the lower third of the potential voids in the hold had been removed. The RENTALA, a Singapore flag vessel en route from Finland, was due to arrive in New Orleans on January 31. USCG district 8.