Viking Sky Investigation report : Engine lubricating oil tank levels should be maintained according to instructions

The Accident Investigation Board of Norway issued its accident report, focusing on the Norwegian cruise vessel “Viking Sky“, which engines failed during a storm in the Norwegian sea, resulting to the vessel drifting in rough waters in the Norwegian Sea to within 100 meters of land.

The Incident

On March 23, 2019, the cruise vessel experienced a black-out and loss of propulsion in gale to storm force conditions in the Hustadvika area of the Norwegian Coast. The master immediately sent out a mayday as the ship drifted towards shore.

Viking Sky was manned by 458 crew and was carrying 915 passengers. Most of the passengers were US (602) and UK (197) citizens, followed by Australians (69) and other nations (47).

The inspections that followed the incident resulted to no damage to the vessel’s hull.

Findings

Following the investigation, the Investigation board resulted to:

1. The lubricating oil sump tanks of all the diesel generators were maintained at 28%– 40% capacity. MAN’s recommendation was to maintain them at 68%–75% capacity.
2. The diesel generators shut down as a result of the loss of lubricating oil suction due to low sump tank levels, combined with pitching and rolling.
3. All three operational diesel generators shut down within 19 minutes of each other, causing blackout and loss of propulsion.

After the incident, the Norwegian Maritime Authority distributed a Safety Bulletin confirming that the engine failure was directly caused by low oil pressure.

The Safety bulletin reports that the heavy seas in Hustadvika was a contributing factor on the accident and caused movements in the tanks so large that the supply to the lubricating oil pumps stopped.

You may click on the Safety Notice herebelow for additional information

Actions Taken

Following the incident Wilhelmsen Ship Management distributed a Safety Bulletin including recommendations to all their vessels.

Also, the company set several actions to be taken after internally investigating the incident. Now, they are reviewing the management of appropriate lubricating oil levels in operational machinery, the preparations for heavy weather and the instructions regarding blackout recovery.

In collaboration with Class, they are establishing procedures for sailing with one engine, or other critical equipment, inoperative while maintaining compliance with the Safe Return to Port requirements.

In late May, the Norwegian Maritime Authority published a Safety Message on risk assessment, according to which

all shipping companies to take the necessary precautions to ensure the supply of lubricating oil to engines and other critical systems under expected weather conditions. This should be done in collaboration with the engine supplier and included as part of the ship’s risk assessments in the safety management system.

Recommendations

All vessel owners and operators are recommended to ensure that engine lubricating oil tank levels are maintained in accordance with engine manufacturer’s instructions and topped up in the event of poor weather being forecast.

Following, the AIBN investigation is to continue focusing in the areas below:

For the investigation report you may click herebelow