This is a reminder that despite decades of work by to improve confined space entry by maritime safety organizations, training institutions, and vessel owners/operators, the risks have NOT BEEN ELIMINATED. This is illustrated by a recent casualty where three (3) persons were asphyxiated while working onboard a laid-up Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU). Although the investigation is not yet complete, the following information is being conveyed with the continued hope that it will highlight this hazard with the aim to prevent recurrence. Ten (10) crewmembers were onboard the MODU preparing it for a heavy lift transport to an overseas ship-breaking facility. They were successful in dewatering three of the MODU’s four legs. However, the de-ballasting system was inoperable in the fourth leg because piping and valves had been previously removed. To continue pumping, the crew rigged a portable diesel engine driven pump to discharge the tanks.
