Shipping

Legionella risk assessment and monitoring in shipping is very like that in off-shore facilities. The main difference is that shipping is even more vulnerable to the differences in bunkered water around the world. Moving around the world limits the scope for the routine testing required by shore based facilities. However, the risks are even higher. As with off-shore facilities, the major problems are: dead legs, underutilised sections and difficult environmental controls. All of these increase the Legionella risk and have to be added to the poor availability, uncertain quality and inconsistent test methods and reporting of labs in foreign ports.

Passengers and crew on ships are potentially at risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria contaminating water supplies in the same way as guests and staff in a hotel are at risk. Examples of sources include potable water, water for washing, showers and baths, water in spa pools, etc., and fire hydrants. However, on board ship there are added complications. The risk may be greater because the water has to be taken on board and stored (bunkered). This makes it important that the source and quality of the water taken on board is known, although this may not always be possible in some countries. Conditions for storage of water on board ship are important, especially as they may be affected by temperature extremes when travelling in tropical regions. Any of the above factors are exacerbated because on longer journeys people will be on board continually for extended periods and therefore there is the greater potential for exposure to any contamination. A further complication is that the regulations that normally apply to mainland buildings do not necessarily apply to ships, because they do not have jurisdiction.

The Hydrosense test removes all of these concerns. The test can be done on board, removing the need to protect and transport the sample to a lab.

The quality of the test is assured world-wide. In effect you are carrying with you the knowledge and experience of a qualified laboratory. This knowledge is stored in the Hydrosense test strip, which provides a validated quality of result in 25 minutes every time, wherever you are.