99009 Everything Needs Checking

Everything Needs Checking
Report No. 99009

Whist the vessel had a long enough time in port, an opportunity was taken to overhaul and repair various systems. Whilst the other engineer officers were engaged on various jobs, one of the engine room crew was cleaning the lube oil filters. In order to test the system he had been working on, the 4th engineer started the lube oil pump as part of the testing procedure. The lube oil pump then dumped part of the main engine lube oil change into the engine room bilges. The crew man immediately raised the alarm, and the lube oil pump was stopped. This prompt action kept the losses low.
The work to be done on the system had been discussed between the Second Engineer and the person doing the job. However, neither had realised that both the engineer and the crew man would have reached the two critical points together. Both tasks had been discussed at the daily work planning meeting. It is important that all staff carefully examine all equipment prior to undertaking any work on it. Had the engineer taken a walk around the lube oil and fuel oil systems prior to starting any pumps, he would no doubt have observed that the lube oil filters were out and waited before testing his work. Had a placard been hung on the pump controls, or the pumps been isolated before the filters were removed then the accident would have been avoided.