TSB: Bulker Tecumseh Had Long History of Fuel Leaks Before Fire

The Canadian mass provider Tecumseh had a lengthy background of engine failings also prior to a fire stired up in its engine area in December 2019, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) figured out.

In an examination record, TSB discovered that the 50-year-old bulker had actually experienced several previous issues with its major engines. In the year prior to the fire, both engines had continuous concerns with leakages in the gas oil supply as well as return hose pipes; with turbocharger effectiveness; as well as with failings of the tough piping for the gas oil system, to name a few worries.

Between July as well as November, 3 cyndrical tube devices fell short on the port major engine as an outcome of melted exhaust shutoffs. Six days prior to the fire, the outboard financial institution’s gas oil supply rail had actually fallen short, as well as gas oil from the spill was still on the engine as well as in the bilges.

On December 15, 2019, Tecumseh was in progress in the Detroit River, bring canola seed from Thunder Bay, Ontario toWindsor A fire burst out in the engine area, as well as the vessel went down both supports. The repaired fire reductions system was made use of to snuff out the fire. However, it later on later re-ignited, as well as the vessel needed to be pulled to Windsor, where the fire was snuffed out the following day.

The TSB figured out that the fire originated from the failing of a gas hose pipe setting up on the port side major engine. The Tecumseh’s engine area as well as equipment suffered warmth, smoke as well as residue damages, while the port major engine suffered considerable fire damages. The engine control area, consisting of the major switchboard as well as control gaming consoles, was totally damaged. No significant injuries were reported amongst the 16 crewmembers.

Tecumseh’s engine control area after the fire (TSB)

In the record, TSB elevated worries over the firefighting capacities at Canadian harbors as well as ports. Shoreside very first -responders were not learnt aquatic firefighting as well as consequently were unable to supply onboard aid. As a repercussion, the -responders stayed ashore supplying limit air conditioning while waiting for the arrival of firemens with aquatic training, that got here regarding 2 hrs later on as well as produce the fire.

TSB castigated port authorities for failing to apply its previous suggestions on the demand to make certain that shore-based very first -responders obtain marine-specific training. “The board is concerned that some Canadian ports and harbor authorities may lack the proper equipment, training and resources to respond effectively to shipboard fires occurring within their jurisdiction, which could result in fires that endanger crews, the general public, property and the environment,” TSB cautioned.

The examination additionally determined a variety of drawbacks within the driver’s safety and security administration system when it come to fire action, consisting of the truth that the fire training handbook aboard was general to the vessel.

TSB discovered that Tecumseh had a lengthy background of engine breakdowns, as well as it figured out that the port side engine remained in total “poor” problem at the time of the fire. However, the trouble was not upkeep alone: this certain Pielstick V12 engine style was constructed without a flywheel as well as was recognized to be vulnerable to resonance issues, leading to brief equipment train life, tiredness as well as leakages. When they were brand-new, the engines on the bulker experienced numerous gas system failings as a result of serious resonance, as well as the supplier revamped the gas lines to make up. In 1976, brand-new gas lines were retrofitted on the Tecumseh as well as the failing price lowered.