LNG Ship Safety Zone

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by roverhi

One of these ships contains the potential explosive energy of 50 Hiroshima sized atomic bombs. Not that all that energy could be concentrated like a nuclear bomb but if one were to torch off, there would be a big hole in the ocean. It would be the ultimate coup for one of the resident crazies in the Med. to set one off. Be thankful that you weren't allowed to get closer and that they are being that vigilant about maintaining the 'Safe Zone'.

If Russia was to shut off the natural gas pipelines to Europe, these ships would be the only thing keeping Europe from freezing to death. Probably wouldn't be all that successful as there just not enough of these ships. Expect to see more of them in the future. It's the only way to get Natural Gas across oceans. With the US awash in Natural Gas, expect we will be exporting a lot more of it to Europe and elsewhere with these ships.

There is a bit of controversy about the LNG ships because of their explosive potential. IIRC there is a book titled 'Time Bomb' about the dangers of a LNG ship explosion.

An urban myth according to the LNG industry and their websites. The boat can't explode because the gas is not explosive in liquid form... according to the gas industry.

[DeepFrz]

Have you ever seen a natural gas pipeline explode? I have and its quite spectacular.

[Jim Cate]

One of these ships contains the potential explosive energy of 50 Hiroshima sized atomic bombs.

That just might be a bit exaggerated! The Hiroshima bomb had a ~10 kiloton yield. fifty of those equals a half million tons. The reference is to tons of generic TNT type high explosive, and the specific energy content of TNT is a bit higher than LNG. So, for that statement to be true, the ship would need to carry well over a half million tons of LNG, and while they are big ships, they ain't THAT big!

But a biggish bang would happen if somehow one could get a high order detonation of all the LNG at once. I would prefer to be well away from the ship in that case!

Jim

[El Pinguino]

Bleves (sp) can be very spectacular.... but more likely this is the result .... CTX CASUALTY DATABASE - Details Page ... OK I know that was LPG not LNG but you would still be toast....

[FamilyVan]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Bleves (sp) can be very spectacular.... but more likely this is the result .... CTX CASUALTY DATABASE - Details Page ... OK I know that was LPG not LNG but you would still be toast....

Quite a combination. LPG and Naptha.

Sent from my XP7700 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[damir s]

Full loaded ship will never explode only get fire.
Low explp. level is important an this is about 0.3 -0.5 % mix with air. I was in Nigerija when locals was syphoning main pipeline with gasoline when wapor get ignition 1800 people and kids was dead that was apokalips. i was passing there 5 minute before (LUCKY). Alvays expode empty tankers gas or product but normaly there is crew that know what doing. Somethime tankers drift waiting for orders depens of company order. Polution is evrywhere we kiling each other in nam of prosperity but this can be long discusion.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Have you ever seen a natural gas pipeline explode? I have and its quite spectacular.

This type of boat was carrying liquid gas that is not capable of exploding. Gas needs to be in gaseous state mixed with oxygen in order to be explosive.

[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

This type of boat was carrying liquid gas that is not capable of exploding. Gas needs to be in gaseous state mixed with oxygen in order to be explosive.

Ummm… it is liquid only because it is supercooled. Expose it to atmospheric temperatures and it will RAPIDLY return to gaseous state with an expansion to 600 times its volume, mixing with air in the process… What part of that is not dangerous or risky in terms of explosion?

[Kenomac]

We carry a 5 gallon container of gasoline on our dinghy for the outboard which is explosive if it becomes ruptured and mixes with air. Maybe we should begin enforcing an arbitrary safety zone around our boat.

Maybe start with a 200 meter safety zone in all anchorages, then extend it outward depending on how much of the anchorage we wish to hog. Everyone knows gasoline is explosive.... we're only doing it for their own safety.

[El Pinguino]

At the end of the day they can make any exclusion zone they like.

Maybe its the threat of terrorism that concerns them... who knows.... with those ships the pressure vessels are a long way inboard of the ship's side so puncture wounds would not normally be a problem

[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We carry a 5 gallon container of gasoline on our dinghy for the outboard which is explosive if it becomes ruptured and mixes with air. Maybe we should begin enforcing an arbitrary safety zone around our boat.

Maybe start with a 200 meter safety zone in all anchorages, then extend it outward depending on how much of the anchorage we wish to hog. Everyone knows gasoline is explosive.... we're only doing it for their own safety.

I take it you were being funny. That's like comparing a pocket lighter to the Hindenburg.

[Blue Stocking]

Lots of incorrect perceptions in some of the above. Gen up on Limits of Flammability, Explosive Ranges, Auto-Ignition Temperatures, Lower Explosive Limits, Spontaneous Ignition. Lots to know. 17 years in Fire Service, with time in tank farms and LPG storage depots.

[Shrew]

Whom was operating the escort ship? Italian government or LNG tanker employees?

You 'may' be confusing Legal Limitations and Corporate Policy.

Technically, they were operating their vessel legally and you chose to take action and change course. Did someone tell you you MUST change course, or did you choose too due to the potential for an impact based on the converging courses of your vessel and theirs?

You have the right to disagree with them and act within the limits of the law on your end as well.

[DeepFrz]

This is not the one I saw. The one I witnessed was years ago when they were just bringing the Trans Canada Pipeline in to service.
Natural gas pipeline explodes near Otterburne, Man. - Manitoba - CBC News

[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We carry a 5 gallon container of gasoline on our dinghy for the outboard which is explosive if it becomes ruptured and mixes with air. Maybe we should begin enforcing an arbitrary safety zone around our boat.

Maybe start with a 200 meter safety zone in all anchorages, then extend it outward depending on how much of the anchorage we wish to hog. Everyone knows gasoline is explosive.... we're only doing it for their own safety.

Don't BLEVE me, BLEVE this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0jtD_OWLU