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News Code
44954
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Main engine failure caused serious damage
TIN news: The vessel was in ballast condition and inbound to port. It was night-time and the pilot boarded. Two tugs were connected: one on the bow and one on the stern. Before the pilot boarded the engine had been tested and the pre-arrival checks had been completed.
On this vessel the Chief Engineer was normally on the bridge during manoeuvring. At the pilot brief the pilot was given the pilot card and he informed the master that the plan was to berth on the 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 there was no response. Several repeated orders, from slow astern to full astern, were commanded from the bridge telegraph but with no response.
The main engine is a medium speed fourstroke engine driving a fixed pitch propeller through a gearbox controlled via a Woodward governor and reversing effected by the main gearbox. Control is carried out via the electronic bridge control.
At this time the Chief Engineer was operating the 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. Just in front of the vessel were a tug and a moored barge, which the vessel hit at a speed of five knots.
The tug was seriously damaged and sank rapidly. Vessel A suffered significant damage to the bulbous bow and the forepeak was 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.
On this vessel the Chief Engineer was normally on the bridge during manoeuvring. At the pilot brief the pilot was given the pilot card and he informed the master that the plan was to berth on the 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 there was no response. Several repeated orders, from slow astern to full astern, were commanded from the bridge telegraph but with no response.
The main engine is a medium speed fourstroke engine driving a fixed pitch propeller through a gearbox controlled via a Woodward governor and reversing effected by the main gearbox. Control is carried out via the electronic bridge control.
At this time the Chief Engineer was operating the 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. Just in front of the vessel were a tug and a moored barge, which the vessel hit at a speed of five knots.
The tug was seriously damaged and sank rapidly. Vessel A suffered significant damage to the bulbous bow and the forepeak was 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.