Pump room exploison

[denniswalker]

I vaquely being asked whist on leave if i would assist onboard a tanker/bulker which had a pumproom fire The boat was to carry fuel for the first time in a long time. This happened somtime in the nineties,i recall that C/E was killed and she was diverted the Forth for repairs.I was onboard for about ten days.I cannot remember her name and what happened to her If any member can assist in this i would be grateful.Dennis.

[Tony Morcom]

It wasn't the Shell Tanker "Rapana" by any chance was it? If so there is a link HERE

[Brian Beattie]

Rapana, an VLOBO that had been operated by shell as a bulk carrier but had to carry a oil cargo before it was returned to owners.

There where 3 fatalities following a pump room explosion. the Chief Engineer was not killed but badly burnt. He cam out of the pumproom hatches and ladned on top of the pump room. The other chaps either did not make it out of the pump room or where blown against No6 hatch and broke up

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Brain.
Welcome to the site hope you enjoy all there is to read, and it brings back memories. I remember when I sailed on tankers in the 50s the pump room was one place that everyone was careful of, as the gas accumulated down there a lot I hated it when asked to go down and help the pump-man with rigging anything
Cheers Des