[Report 1970] / Medical Officer of Health, Tyne Port Health Authority.

  • Tyne Port Health Authority.
Date:
1970
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1970] / Medical Officer of Health, Tyne Port Health Authority. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/52 (page 16)
    m.v. “BRAEMAR” Members of the crew of this vessel suffered from diarrhoea but passen¬ gers were not affected. Samples of water were taken from various points in the vessel and submitted for both bacteriological and chemical examinations, neither of which revealed any possible cause of the sick¬ ness, which ceased shortly afterwards. (See page 23). m.v. “LYMINGE” Three samples of water were taken from this vessel, and bacteriological examinations gave the very high readings of 160 and 180 coliform bacilli per 100 ml. The tanks were emptied, loose scale removed, recoated where necessary and superchlorinated, after which further samples were taken, all of which were satisfactory. m.v. “WILTSHIRE” Complaints were received regarding the colour of the water in both hot and cold systems. Prior to these systems being supplied from the tanks, it was noted that the water passed through a carbon filter, the inside of which contained rust-like deposits. A sample taken at the filter outlet was found to contain 23 p.p.m. of iron. The ship’s tanks had been opened and cleansed, and arrangements were made to cleanse the filter thoroughly and fill with a new carbon medium. Waterboat “HARCUSS” On two occasions the presence of coliform bacilli or bacillus coli were found to exist. Immediate action was taken to remove this contamina¬ tion. m.v. “RIVERDORE” Prior to the arrival of this vessel, the results of water sampling at the previous port were received, and showed a fairly high coliform count. Very little water remained on board on arrival, but after filling the tanks 10 samples were taken, seven of drinking water and 3 of washing water; all were found to have a “nil” count, and the cause of the previous high count remains unexplained. 3. Precautions taken against Contamination of Hydrants and Hosepipes Before commencing service to a vessel, hydrants and hoses are flushed by a continuous flow. Couplings and hoses are housed in covered stands and protected from weather and river spray. 4. Number and Sanitary Condition of Water Boats, and Powers of Control by the Authority The following seven water-boats are available for the supply of drinking water to shipping using the Tyne Ports: — Name of Water Boat Name of Owner “Crystal Stream” “Harcuss” “Shearwater” “Britannia G” “Daphne H”. “Limnell” ... “Drake” ... Messrs A. Gibson. ... Messrs A. Gibson. ... Messrs A. Gibson. ... Messrs A. Gibson. ... Messrs. A. Gibson. ... Messrs. Keedy. ... Messrs. Keedy.