202548 Fire pump flooded

A vessel had just departed drydock. The Master decided to take additional ballast in the afterpeak tank to better immerse the propeller. Shortly after starting to fill the after-peak tank, a 440V low insulation (ground) alarm was activated. Crew were sent to investigate and found that ballast water was flowing down from the after-peak tank access hole. Water was collecting in the trunk containing the emergency fire pump, which was now fully submerged.

The after-peak access manhole is about 4.5 metres above the deck. The manhole cover was in place, but the cover’s securing nuts were not fully tightened, allowing major leakage.

The company investigation found that the manhole covers of the various tanks had been undone for inspections during drydock. After the inspections were complete, they should have been fully secured for operations. However, the cover of the after-peak access, situated at a height, was forgotten. Also, the bilge level alarm for the space was found defective.

Lessons learned

• Alarms should never be turned off and should be verified at regular intervals. Bilge level alarms should be rectified as soon as a fault is detected.
• Post drydock checks and verifications are critical. What sailor does not have a story about minor or even major deficiencies left uncorrected after leaving drydock?