F/S EVER GRACE; VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA | 1992-Jan-24

Initial Notification: During a general inspection aboard the F/S EVER GRACE a mustardlike odor was noticed by the ship personnel in the area of the NO.1 hatch portside. The EVER GRACE is carrying 57,670 kgs. (127,139 lbs, 17882 gals) of Allyl Alcohol in three 20' containers, and the ship's agent reported a possible source as a 20 ton tank container. MSO Baltimore was notified of a possible leak at 1300 EST, Jan. 24. The vessel is currently 180 miles SW of Cape Henry. The vessel is headed for Baltimore from Houston with the cargo of Allyl Alcohol's ultimate destination to be France. SSC Gary Ott is on scene at MSO Hampton Roads. The initial evaluation by NOAA points out that although the material is poisonous, flammability is the higher risk problem (flash point is 70 degrees Farhenheit), and further evaluations should be conducted with the measure of flammability as a priority with the toxicity issue considered second in importance to that. The worst case scenario of a very large puddle of the material would have a IDLH zone of 26 yards due to the low vapor pressure of Allyl Alcohol (17 mmHg at 20 degrees Celsius). Allyl Alcohol is an intense irritant to the skin, eyes, nose and throat, it causes burns on contact and is poisonous in small quantities. The lethal dose is approximately 1 ounce for a 150 lb. person. The material has good warning properties with extreme tearing of the eyes as an indicator. Other materials of a lower priority to be considered include P.Chlorobenzoyl Chloride of which there are 66 drums on the vessel. Gary Ott's first meeting with the pilot at the pilot house is at 1730 EST before going to the vessel. The EVER GRACE is scheduled to anchor at 2CH buoy, north of Cape Charles, Virginia. USCG district 5.