Swedish P&I Club issues Monthly Safety Scenario for January
The Swedish P&I Club published its Monthly Safety Scenario for January 2015 regarding collision due to engine failure .The Swedish Club publishes on a monthly basis a new “Monthly Safety Scenario” (MSS) to assist owners in their efforts of complying with the maritime regulations.
Vessel A was in a ballast condition and inbound to port. It was night-time and the pilot boarded.Two tugs were connected, one on the bow andone on the stern. Before the pilot boarded the engine had been tested and the pre-arrival checks had been completed. Manoeuvring is normally carried out from the bridge with the Chief Engineer in attendance.
At the pilot brief the pilot was given the pilot card and he told the master that the plan was to berth starboard side. To be able to do this the vessel was required to carry out a 180 turn to port. The master lined up the vessel and started to turn, when suddenly the main engine failed to respond.The master ordered slow astern but no response.There were several repeated orders, from slow astern to full astern, from the bridge telegraph but no response.
The main engine is a medium speed four-stroke engine driving a fixed pitch propeller through a gearbox controlled via a Woodward governor and reversing is carried out by the main gearbox. Control is carried out via an electronic bridge control.
At this time the Chief Engineer was operatingthe engine telegraph and he attempted to transfer control to the engine control room. At the same time the pilot requested the two assisting tugs to turn the vessel away from danger. However, this failed. A tug and barge were moored just in front of the vessel, which the vessel hit at a speed of five knots.
The tug hit by the vessel and seriously damaged and sank rapidly. Vessel A suffered significant damage to the bulbous bow and the fore peak filled with water. After an investigation by the superintendent it was found that one of the solenoid valves had failed.
These are responsible for regulating and stopping the air signal to the governor that controls the main engine speed. Due to this failure the engine could not be stopped or the gearbox set astern.
Source:The Swedish P&I Club
