C/V MSC Clorinda; Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington, North Carolina | 1997-Jul-18

Initial Notification: On July 18, 1997, the inbound C/V MSC Clorinda reported to MSO Wilmington a "drip" leak of benzoyl chloride (CAS #98884) from one of two chemical tanks. The manifest noted 859 gallons of benzoyl chloride in each tank. The tanks were stacked one on the other on the deck three rows up. MSO Wilmington's impression was that the safety valve had released some of the material as the vessel arrived in warmer climates. Based on this assumption, the drip discharge of the chemical would be expected to stop when the temperature and quantity of chemical in the tank become stable. The vessel was scheduled into Wilmington, North Carolina on July 21. The safety of the vessel's crew was not an issue. MSO Wilmington planned to conduct an underway inspection of the MSC Clorinda using additional remote sensing equipment and trained operators. The pilots normally board the vessels inbound to Wilmington at the entrance to the Cape Fear River. USCG district 5. Keyword: potential.