PILBARA Ports have warned arriving vessels to take precautions to protect mariners from extreme heat.
A marine notice published by Pilbara Ports harbour master Mike Minogue, said there had been an incident where a crew member had fainted due to heat related illness.
Temperatures in the summer in the West Pilbara regularly exceed 40C and because of the humidity can have an apparent temperature above 50C.
The warning was issued for the ports of Dampier, Ashburton and Varanus Island.
Captain Minogue said vessel operators and masters needed to have a heat management plan, adjust watches with more frequent change out of personnel and to work in teams.
Crew should get adequate rest and hydration and time to cool down as well as having ample changes of clothes and laundry facilities.
“We recommend that operators have a training program to recognise the signs of heat related illness and how to respond to these,” Captain Minogue said.
“Vessels coming into Dampier port shall have working air conditioning (AC). It’s a requirement of the port that all defects are reported, this includes AC. Shore based repair technicians for air conditioning are available and can be arranged with a vessel’s agent.
“Early detection, reporting and rectification avoids unnecessary delays.”
