Because of the danger of the drifting inflammable liquid the Fire Service was called to the incident during the forenoon of 11th February, 1966, and fire boats were assigned to patrolling the area breaking up oil patches with foam jets and detergents. Hose lines were laid aboard the tanker and foam injected into the damaged tanks to reduce the explosion hazard.
182. On the morning of 12th February, 1966 a strong easterly wind developed and the sea became so rough that the Master of the tanker ordered all his crew ashore except two or three men who under his command took refuge in a life boat which they moored to the tanker. The Master was kept supplied with refreshments, etc. from the fire boat 'Alexander Grantham' which also provided accommodation and food for those members of the tanker's crew who remained at the incident. So severe was the weather on the 12th that relief crews for fire boat crews could not be changed over for relief until some 3 hours after the scheduled time.
183. The availability of the fire boat 'Alexander Grantham' as a base ship in operations of this nature more than justifies the capital and recurrent expenditure on this vessel.
Gasholder Breakdown-North Point, Hong Kong
184. On the evening of 7th March, 1966 Hong Kong Fire Control received a call to the Hong Kong and China Gas Company at North Point and on arrival the first attending appliances found that a serious leak of gas had occurred from a Wiggins type internally sealed gas- holder caused by the complete collapse of the internal ramp.
185. The extent of the leak could not immediately be determined, and in consultation with the Company's engineers Fire Service units were deployed round the area as a precaution against the ignition of any escaping gas. With the collapse of the seal there was, of course, a mixture of air and town gas in the tank which may have been in explosive proportions. As the extent of the damage and the leak could not easily be determined an engineer of the Company climbed to the top of the tank to investigate the position. On opening an inspection door he was immediately overcome by gas and in his semi-conscious state, stumbled on the 80 ft. high platform and received a serious blow on the head. Fortunately, the railings prevented from falling to the ground and held him until Fire Service rescue teams, wearing breathing apparatus, reached and brought him safely to the ground. He was taken to hospital by Fire Service ambulance.
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