is that Intrinsically Safe Cameras Used on Ships?

                                      yes  its being used in tanker vessels.....In recent observations by vetting inspectors during tanker ship inspections, use of digital cameras on ships has been regarded as “High Risk” Observation. With tankers safety matters attaining paramount importance in the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), a number of steps have been considered to make oil tanker operations safer.

As per the IACS Paper no. 72(2000) Rev. Oct.2003 and April,2007 – Confined Space Safe Practice - Use of non-explosion proof equipment like cameras, torches, chipping hammers, may be allowed provided that it is stated in the Entry permit issued and the space is safe for hot work or safe for workers and LEL is measured to 0%.

These cameras use batteries and also have ” flash option”. they are non-intrinsically safe for tankers. 

In order to tackle with this condition, the maritime industry has introduced using new type of cameras which can take good quality pictures and are intrinsically safe as well.

These explosion proof or intrinsically safe cameras are of “rugged built” and have features such as image and video recording. They also come with all the important accessories that are provided with any normal digital camera. A data cable helps to connect the camera to a personal computer for transferring of  the images to the device.

The body of the camera is housed inside an insulating rubber cover, which eliminates any risk of sparks being produced to get outside the case. Not only the cover is electrically dissipative, but it also houses the camera into an impact resistant case.

 They surely help to rule out one more potential fire hazards from tanker ships