AP Revelin received $3.4 million in damages in accident connected to oil haze detector breakdown [USCG photo]
A dud from an oil haze detector is viewed as playing a vital duty in an August 2022 accident in the Sabine Pass, Texas, entailing an 18,143 dwt Netherlands- flagged basic freight ship as well as a 38,795 dwt Croatian- flagged bulker
The just-released National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) record on the event keeps in mind that it took place at regarding 10.45 a.m., regional time, on August 21, 2022, when the basic freight ship, the Damgracht, run by Amsterdam- based Spliethoff’s Bevrachtings BV. was incoming in the Sabine Pass Outer Bar Channel en path to Beaumont, Texas, as well as the bulker, the AP Revelin run by Dubrovnik- based Atlanska Plovidba was outgoing. The 2 vessels clashed after the Damgracht shed propulsion when its primary engine closed down because of “high oil mist density” noticed by its oil haze detector (OMD). The engine shaft-driven electric power liftoff generator, which had actually been powering the bow thruster, quit creating power, as well as the thruster quit too
Due to the sudden loss of propulsion, the Damgracht started diverting right into the course APRevelin The pilot aboard the Damgracht took actions to alert as well as stay clear of the AP Revelin, yet without the methods to steer the vessel, the Damgracht as well as the AP Revelin clashed. No injuries were reported. The accident caused $3.4 million in problems to the AP Revelin.
The day prior to the accident, the Damgracht‘s primary engine concerned as well as soon later closed down because of a high air conditioning water temperature level. That night, the engine staff cooled off the primary engine as well as fixed a stopped working cyndrical tube head gasket. The gasket failing most likely enabled air conditioning water to leakage right into the cyndrical tube as well as pollute the engine’s lube oil system, as well as the job to fix it caused the indoor areas of the engine being revealed to damp problems. That night the moisture balanced regarding 90%. It is most likely that greater degrees of water went into the crankcase than can be gotten rid of over night by the lube oil cleanser or vaporize from the warmth of the running engine in the brief time it was checked post-repair. While the Damgracht was in progress the adhering to early morning, the OMD caused a dud after noticing water vapor that had compressed in the example.
The complete NTSB record keeps in mind that:
“In 2007, prior to the Damgracht was developed, the maker of the OMD later on set up aboard the Damgracht launched a security notice pertaining to high-humidity procedures. The notice specified:
The oil haze detector (OMD) might set off duds because of high moisture in the crankcase as well as compressed water in the OMD system suction pipelines. The humidity/water build-up rises when the engine is begun for the very first time after running out procedure for a number of hrs (e.g. throughout the evening). If the lubricating oil has water material over the acceptable limitation, the oil haze detector will certainly “perceive” high moisture (water beads) in the optical course. An excellent method would certainly be to examine the lubricating oil separators for any kind of water contamination to the tidy side of the oil or learn whether there can be cooling water leakages. Sometimes water beads can be seen inside the gauging head when opening up the assessment cover. Also, water might be discovered in the pipeline link box/valve box, triggering duds.
“Investigators reviewed OMD maintenance records from 2020 up to the date of the casualty. The vessel’s operating company required a job order titled “Inspect and Test Oil Mist Detector” to be finished month-to-month. The work summary defined: “Inspect oil mist detector and test if it is functioning correctly. If necessary, replace air filters and readjust airflow through measuring unit.” The vessel’s digital upkeep program videotaped that the staff had actually performed various regular upkeep jobs in the 3-year duration asked for by private investigators. In 2022, as much as the day of the accident, 7 upkeep tasks were visited the upkeep program. On August 17, around 4 days prior to the accident, the digital upkeep log included an access mentioning that the needed month-to-month upkeep on the OMD had actually been finished without remarks.”
POTENTIAL REASON
The National Transportation Safety Board identified that the likely root cause of the accident in between both ships was the Damgracht’ s loss of propulsion brought on by an automated closure of the primary engine because of a dud, most likely caused by water vapor noticed by the oil haze detector soon after engine upkeep was finished to change an unsuccessful cyndrical tube head gasket throughout high-humidity problems.
LESSONS FOUND OUT
When particular engine parts, such as cyndrical tube head gaskets, fall short, cooling down water can be presented right into engine lube oil systems. Ambient air problems, such as high moisture or severe chilly temperature levels, can additionally enhance the water material within engine lube oil sumps. The raised amount of water in lube oil systems can set off duds in engine crankcase oil haze detectors (as well as bring about an engine closure) because of water beads going through the gauging track or the filter glass spotting condensation (misinterpreting it for oil haze). After an engine’s crankcase is opened up as well as revealed to these problems throughout repair and maintenance, it is great method for engine teams to examine as well as examine the lubricating oil system for water breach as well as make sure lube oil cleansing devices is working appropriately to eliminate any kind of water or various other contamination in the lube oil.@NTSB
