97025 Starting from 'Dead Ship'

25 Jan 1997 MARS

Starting from 'Dead Ship'

REPORT No. 97025

This report is taken from a Casualty InformationNotice kindly supplied by Det Norske Veritas.

Course of Events

A 'Standby' vessel stationed close to a drilling platform experienceda 'black-out'. This was caused by water contamination of fuel and occurredshortly after switching from one service tank to another. The water wasdrained from the tank and fuel system. The main engine was restarted andwas running normally. To provide electric current for lighting, steeringetc., one of the auxiliary engines had to be started. Upon trying this,it was discovered that the spare starting air bottle was empty althoughthe pressure gauge indicated full pressure. An emergency arrangement tofill the air bottles from one of the main engine cylinders existed but thearrangement did not function. It was decided to try to start the enginewith high pressure air from the breathing apparatus and a flask was pickedup from the dispensary. During the starting operation an explosion occurred.Four crew members suffered burn injuries and were evacuated by helicopter.The fire was extinguished and the vessel towed to the shore base.

Extent of Damage

No serious damage was reported in the engine room except for extensivedamage to the auxiliary engine concerned. The crew members who sufferedburn injuries recovered in hospital.

Probable Cause

The flask brought from the ship's dispensary was coupled up to one ofthe auxiliary engines starting air system by temporary connections usingarmoured plastic tubes and cleats. The explosion occurred the instant theengine commenced turning.

The bottle from the ship's dispensary was later found to be filled withoxygen. The explosion took place when the oxygen mixed with the oil, blowingaway the temporary connections and injuring people occupied in the operation.

Lessons to be Learned

  • Fuel service settling tanks are to be regularly checked and drained of water.
  • The availability and functioning of the arrangement for starting up from 'dead ship' should be checked out regularly.
  • Standards for colour marking of gas cylinders are not universally recognised and different practices exist; for example, between gas cylinders for medical use and for industrial use. Oxygen flasks from a dispensary are often white, whilst breathing apparatus is seen filled in flasks with all sorts of colours, including white.
  • Consequently, utmost care should be demonstrated by the crew in the use of gas flasks/cylinders on board vessels particularly when they have been obtained from various countries. Information regarding the governing safety precautions for the different types of gas under pressure should be part of the safety drill on board.
Return to listing