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The European Maritime Safety Agency’s (EMSA) new database, »MAR-CIS«,

is intended to help seafarers abating maritime disasters with cargo leaks. HANSA presents an overview
Each captain is aware of hazard risks for the crew and vessel if dangerous medium leaks from the cargo. First[ds_preview] actions shall be initiated such that all people involved (crew, rescue team) are protected at best possible conditions against substance specific hazards. It is thus imperative to execute the most important emergency measures by a planned strategy including

rescue people from the hazard area

define and lock the hazard area

identify primary and secondary harmful substances

extinguish fire if necessary

estimate ongoing spreading of harmful substances

take safeguards at the location of incident and its periphery

request rescue workers via next nearest accessible contact centre onshore.

An important commitment among others of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is assistance and counselling of members of EU states and the European Environmental Agency (EEA) on the abatement of maritime disasters. For this purpose, EMSA runs the 24/7 information system MAR-ICE (Marine Intervention in Chemical Emergencies).

To prepare the affected crew and rescue workers for first actions, a reliable information source is essential for determining the leaked substance and estimating its hazardous impact on humans and the environment. Hence, after initiating a pan-European call for bids in 2009, EMSA obliged the Gicon Company to develop the database MAR-CIS (Marine Chemical Information Sheets), to gather and enter the required safety information.

After four years of contract term, 213 substances and mixtures by 12 data sheets each have been integrated in MAR-CIS. EMSA selected these substances from the GESAMP list (Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection; established by the UN) upon shipped volumes and frequency, and individual hazard risks.

No. 1 Substance Identification, Key Properties and Behaviour, Warnings

Substance name(s) according to GESAMP, IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry), IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) code, IBC (International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk) of IMO (International Maritime Organization)

Reference numbers of UN, EINECS, EG-number, Index number

Key properties (appearance, odour, behaviour in sea water, main uses)

Fire Code of NFPA (U.S. National Fire Protection Association) summarizing key facts for the fire brigade

Red warning box pointing to special threats and their prevention

No. 2 Substance Codes: Tabulated and verbalized statements from IMDG and IBC codes

No. 3 GESAMP profile

Visualization of the GESAMP hazard classes by bar plot, showing assessed values and maximum values that can range between 3 and 6

Extra sign if assessed value reaches maximum class

Verbalized statements partly included

No. 4 CLP/GHS Classification

Pictograms and signal words of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals of the UN

Hazard statements and precautionary statements by category, code and verbal description

No. 5 Health Hazards, Intrinsic and Environmental Hazards

Toxicity information and hazards on humans listed for types of physical contact

Environmental toxicity and behaviour

Substance intrinsic hazards including reactivity with other media, fire explosion and fume hazards, and combustion by-products

No. 6+7 Recommendations on Action and Protection

General advice: »Always consult a doctor!«

List of symptoms and first aid measures for different physical contact to the hazardous substance (inhalation, swallowing, eye contact, dermal contact)

Technical measures of danger defence in case of leakage or fire and required personal protection equipment

Toxicity levels according to PAC (Protective Action Criteria, established by the U.S. Department of Energy)

List of flash test methods for detecting gas expansion

Advice on temporary storage and waste disposal of hazardous substance(s)

Contact information of MAR-ICE to enable enquiry in case of emergency

No. 8 Danger Zones of Toxic Vapour Cloud

Visualization of safety zones based on threshold values for exposure in a vapour cloud, calculated for two wind speeds and three emissions (set by EMSA) by the ALOHA model (developed by Office of Emergency Management, EPA, and Emergency Response Division, NOAA)

No. 9 Reported Maritime Disasters: Synopsis of published maritime disasters with the selected substance involved (course of actions and abatement)

No. 10 Physical and Chemical Properties of Selected Substance: For some substances, an extra table lists solubility in sea water determined in a laboratory for varied salt concentrations (0, 5, 20, 34 g/kg) at different water temperatures (5, 10, 20 °C).

No. 11 Synonyms (up to 70 synonyms for each substance)

No. 12 List of References (exceeding 700 single entries)

The data search followed a pre-set ranking of sources, first using the codes IMDG, IBC, GESAMP, second the English version of RESY, a database of hazardous goods established by the Authority of City Development and Environment of Hamburg, and third the EU ordinance of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). Moreover, substance specific Material and Safety Data Sheets of manufacturers and technical literature are cited. Each citation details source, publication date, and date of internet access.

The database can be accessed in stand-alone mode on PC. Besides a multi-purpose SQL search function, direct search is possible for substance names (including all synonyms), UN or CAS number, and typical substance behaviour in contact with seawater. The software enables direct printing and exporting of data sheets to pdf file. It includes a manual, instructions for installation, and a detailed glossary for technical terms and acronyms.

In early 2015, MAR-CIS has been distributed among all Maritime Administrations of EU and EEA coastal states. EMSA plans to regularly update and extend the database, and to establish access by web portal for national authorities in charge.

Authors: Dipl.-Ing. Dirk-Uwe Spengler

duspengler@arcor.de

Dr. Kai-Uwe Ulrich

GICON Sanierungsmanagement GmbH

k.ulrich@gicon-smg.de