A CalMac ferry, MV Glen Sannox, experienced a significant incident last June when a faulty valve caused the uncontrolled release of 700kg of methane gas while carrying 82 passengers. The gas vented over 12 minutes, triggering alarms in the generator room, although the risk of explosion was deemed low.
Following the incident, CalMac has halted the use of LNG for the ferry's main engines and has implemented remedial actions, including staff training and the installation of safety monitoring systems. The investigation revealed prior knowledge of valve reliability issues by the manufacturer, Wartsila.
Watch for updates on CalMac's safety protocols and the implementation of new monitoring systems on the MV Glen Sannox. The retrofitting of fail-safe sensors and enhanced crew training could set a precedent for LNG operations in maritime transport, influencing future regulations.