An inaccurately sized bearing caused an engine failing and also fire in 2014 onboard the overseas supply vessel Ocean Guardian, reports the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
On May 27, 2022, the vessel was carrying out a sea test in Shilshole Bay when its no. 3 diesel generator engine experienced a mechanical failing, leading to an engine space fire that created $1.1 million in problems.
After upkeep was finished on all 4 primary diesel generator engines in January and also February 2022, full-function examinations of vessel systems were carried out in open waters. During the sea test, the design team listened to a “large bang” and also observed fires near the no. 3 primary engine. The team snuffed out the fire making use of the vessel’s co2 dealt with fire-extinguishing system.
As an outcome of the mechanical failing and also fractured engine block, the no. 3 primary engine was harmed irreparable. The location in the engine space around and also over the no. 3 primary engine endured smoke and also warmth damages. Wiring utilizes on the continuing to be engines, electric cords, lighting fixture, sidewalks, and also control cords in the engine space called for substitute.
NTSB private investigators located that the no. 3 primary engine’s primary bearing journals had actually been machined to a smaller sized size, and also small bearings were set up eventually before the 2022 upkeep.
Subsequently, throughout the 2022 upkeep, Caterpillar solution professionals did not determine the bearing’s component number on the solution record and also changed it with a standard-sized one. The bearing’s wrong dimension enabled lube oil to leakage from the bigger clearances of the bearing. The reduced lube oil supply stress caused a fast temperature level rise of the attaching pole bearings and also numerous engine elements damaging complimentary while the engine was running.
“When maintenance is performed, correct replacement of machinery components is critical to ensuring safe and reliable vessel operation,” the record mentioned. “Vessel crews and equipment manufacturer technicians should carefully identify and document part numbers of all components removed from shipboard equipment. Tracking systems are an effective form of record-keeping that can be used to ensure proper replacement part selection for reinstallation.”
Following the engine failing and also fire, the regional Caterpillar solution business switched over to a brand-new solution radar that permits service technicians to publish images and also records on their cellular phone to boost documents and also details sharing in between service technicians.
