Search Results for: engine room fire

  • News

MAIB issues report on RO/RO engine room fire

As the 1991-built RO/RO ferry, the Pride of Canterbury, was approaching Calais, says MAIB, it became apparent that the starboard controllable pitch propeller was not responding, so the starboard shaft was declutched and the two starboard main engines were stopped.

Prevailing weather conditions were such that the master was content to proceed using one shaft and one bow thruster. As the ship approached its berth, a pipework joint in the starboard controllable pitch propeller system ruptured, spraying oil on to the exhaust uptakes, starting a fire.

The main engine room was evacuated, the general emergency alarm was sounded and the passengers were mustered at emergency stations. The ferry berthed safely, the fire was extinguished using the ship’s Hi-fog system and a fire hose, and the passengers and cargo were disembarked normally.

The investigation determined that the back pressure valve in the starboard controllable pitch propeller hydraulic system had jammed shut, resulting in the return line oil pressure rising to the point where a flanged pipework joint failed. The failed joint, along with others in the system, was not shielded to prevent a spray of oil in the event of joint failure. The back pressure valve was found to be worn and had not been tested for functionality during its 23 years of service.

Safety issues emerging from the incident were:

  • The potential for the whole controllable pitch propeller hydraulic system to experience high pressure had not been adequately considered.
  • The method for annually testing the controllable pitch propeller system’s back pressure and safety relief valves was not specified.
  • The lack of a high pressure alarm prevented immediate awareness of high pressure in the system.
  • An effective joint shield could have prevented the spray of oil onto the hot engine uptake.
  • The storage of combustible materials near the two main engines allowed the fire to spread.

ACTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

P&O Ferries has completed a program of modifications to Pride of Canterbury and its three sister ships as they attend refit.

The CPP system was designed and manufactured by LIPS, which became part of Wartsila in 2002. Wartsila has issued a technical bulletin specifying back pressure valves should be replaced after 15 years and the vessel’s classification society, Lloyd’s Register, has been recommended to propose to the International Association of Classification Societies a unified requirement for high pressure alarms to be fitted in controllable pitch propeller systems.

Download the full report HERE

  • News

Engine room fire disables Carnival Triumph

FEBRUARY 11, 2013 — The 101,509 GT, 893 ft cruise ship Carnival Triumph has lost power and was yesterday reported dead in the water approximately 136 miles north of Merida, Mexico. The

  • News

Engine room fire disables Carnival Splendor

When both tugs were on station and current conditions right, they were expected to slowly two the vessel — at 113,323 gt one of the world’s largest cruise ships — to Ensenada to disembark passengers.

The Carnival Splendor is presently located 150 miles south of San Diego and has 3,299 passengers and 1,167 crew members aboard. They faced a second day without key hotel systems, including air conditioning, hot food service, and telephones, following an engine room fire that broke out yesterday morning. Last night, the ship’s engineers were able to restore toilet service to all cabins and public bathrooms, as well as cold running water. The ship’s crew continues to actively work to restore other services. though Carnival said last night that “the ship’s crew is actively working to restore partial services.”

No injuries to passengers or crew have been reported.

Units from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy have been deployed to the scene.

At the request of Coast Guard District 11 in San Diego, 3rd Fleet diverted the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan from its current training maneuvers to a position south of the cruise ship to facilitate the delivery of needed supplies, That involved transfering 35 pallets of supplies by Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 carrier on-board delivery aircraft to Ronald Reagan. Once aboard Ronald Reagan, the supplies were to be delivered by helicopter to Carnival Splendor.

The ship became disabled after a fire was detected in the aft engine room at approximately 6.a.m, (U.S. Pacific Standard Time) yesterday.

Carnival said that the ship has been operating on auxiliary generators , with engineers unable to restore additional power to the vessel.

Though passengers were initially asked to move from their cabins to the ship’s upper open deck areas, they later regained access to their cabins and were able to move about the ship. Bottled water and cold food items are being provided.

The current voyage has been terminated and Carnival says guests will be receiving a full refund along with reimbursement for transportation costs. Additionally, they will receive a complimentary future cruise equal to the amount paid for this voyage.

“We know this has been an extremely trying situation for our guests and we sincerely thank them for their patience. Conditions on board the ship are very challenging and we sincerely apologize for the discomfort and inconvenience our guests are currently enduring. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority and we are working to get our guests home as quickly as possible,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Carnival Splendor was on the first leg of a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise that departed yesterday, Nov. 7, from Long Beach, Calif.Yesterday was a scheduled day at sea. The ship’s normal itinerary includes stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The Fincantieri-built ship first entered service in July 2008.

November 9, 2010