Coast Guard brings in ship after discovery of mould

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Coast Guard brings in ship after discovery of mould

Globe and Mail - Canada*

The Canadian Press

February 22, 2008

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080222.wmould022

2/BNStory/National/?page=rss & id=RTGAM.20080222.wmould0222

ST. JOHN'S — The Canadian Coast Guard says it's in the process of

cleaning up a patrol vessel after a grey-water backup and the

discovery of mould.

The St. 's Telegram reports that Health Canada was called in to

investigate when the Cape docked in the Newfoundland capital

late Wednesday.

The ship came to shore after some of the 22 crew complained of

headaches and other flu-like symptoms.

Those complaints came after the discovery of mould.

The mould was found just days after a pipe blockage had caused grey

water to back up in the crew's mess area on the ship.

Grey water is basically any non-industrial waste water that doesn't

come from toilets — mostly generated by dish-washing, sinks, laundry

and bath or shower facilities.

" Health Canada didn't think the conditions on board had anything to

do with the health issues. I think that's been clarified, " said

Decker, the director of operational services for the coast

guard in the region.

Mr. Decker said the backup on the Cape was first reported last

Friday while the ship was at sea.

A blocked pipe was blamed for causing the problem. The pipe was

cleared, a cleanup was ordered and the equipment was put back into

service.

On Tuesday, during a standard occupational health and safety meeting

aboard the ship, some crew members expressed concern about the smell

and there were complaints about headaches and other flu-like

symptoms.

Mr. Decker said some of the panels in the crew's mess were taken

down and " they did find a little bit of mould there.

" The captain reported to the crew and officials on shore what had

been found, and the Cape was ordered back to base.

" We decided because of the uncertainties ... with grey water, the

vessel is on the Grand Banks, it's not ideal conditions, so we said

we'd bring her in. "

The ship arrived in port at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Crew members were

asked if they wanted to see a doctor.

Thursday morning, five of the 22 crew were examined. Mr. Decker said

some of them were sent back with flu medications.

When Health Canada came aboard, Mr. Decker said more panels were

taken down and more mould was found " but not very much. "

" They couldn't identify if it was to do with the grey water now, or

if it had been there for some time. But it was nothing to be

concerned about.

" Right now, we are in the process of cleaning it up, the panels have

been taken down so all the stuff behind the panels will be cleaned.

A couple of the panels will be put back but there's a couple that

are in pretty bad shape and we'll have to go and look at purchasing

new panels. "

Mr. Decker said the ship could be back in service by this weekend.