A upkeep error brought on an engine room hearth aboard the Endo Breeze final 12 months, leading to $1.2 million in damages, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) evaluation has proven.
On April 29, 2022, the Endo Breeze was transiting outbound by way of the Raritan Bay West Reach channel close to Staten Island, New York, when oil spray from a gas injector pump on the starboard fundamental engine ignited off close by scorching surfaces, inflicting a fireplace. The crew of the Endo Breeze contained the unfold of the hearth by eradicating gas and oxygen sources, and activating the vessel’s fastened hearth extinguishing system.
To decide the reason for the oil spray, investigators examined the engine’s no. 1 cylinder gas injector pump and found a slight offset on the banjo tube meeting. Investigators decided it’s doubtless that the engineer didn’t appropriately observe the producer’s process for gas injector pump reassembly when performing upkeep a day earlier than the hearth.
The NTSB has investigated a number of current casualties involving mechanical or gas line becoming failures that led to engine fires following upkeep of shipboard diesel engines. The Endo Breeze’s engine room hearth exhibits what can occur when tools producers’ advisable upkeep procedures should not adopted.
“In this case, not following the tightening sequence described in the diesel engine manufacturer’s manual led to the misalignment and failure of a high-pressure fuel connection on an engine’s fuel injector pump’s assembly,” the report stated. “Due to the high risk of fire associated with pressurized fuel, when working with diesel engine components, it’s critical to carefully follow manufacturer assembly procedures and review manufacturer manuals and guidance on a regular basis to ensure familiarity with correct maintenance procedures.”
The NTSB report additionally emphasised the necessity for coaching to stop and include engine room fires.
“To prevent engine room fires and ensure they are effectively contained, operators should provide mariners realistic scenario-based training, including training that covers engine room emergencies,” the report stated. “This training should also cover procedures for effectively shutting down machinery, fuel oil, lube oil, and ventilation systems, as well as boundary monitoring.”
