Safety warning after liquid petroleum gas causes explosion on vessel with 4 people injured

This document warns owners, skippers and crews about potential hazards associated with using LPG on board craft and makes recommendations.

• From: Marine Accident Investigation Branch
• Published: 23 January 2015

• Vessel type: Merchant vessel under 100 gross tons, Fishing vessel, Recreational craft - sail and Recreational craft - power
• Report type: Safety bulletin
• Date of occurrence: 30 June 1999

Safety Bulletin 1/1999

SB-1-1999-Lord-Trenchard.pdf (131.04 kb)

Summary

On 30 June 1999 an explosion occurred in the sail training vessel Lord Trenchard while alongside in Poole Harbour. Four people were on board; all were injured, one very seriously. The vessel was badly damaged. The ongoing investigation found that the leakage of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) was a crucial factor.

This bulletin was published to remind owners, skippers and crews of the potential dangers associated with use of LPG in small craft.

Issued: July 1999

Published 23 January 2015