- Crew members aboard the vessel underwent refresher training on the company’s engineering and maintenance procedures.
- The company distributed safety circulars, risk assessments, and an internal investigation report across its fleet for awareness and compliance.
- Instructions were issued for discussing the internal investigation report during onboard safety meetings to prevent similar incidents.
A fire incident occurred aboard the PGC Patreas during a routine waste oil transfer, resulting in burn injuries to an oiler and damages to the engine room. The incident highlights gaps in operational procedures and the importance of preventive safety measures to mitigate risks during waste oil handling, reports MSIU.
Incident Overview
While transferring waste oil from the sludge tank to the waste oil settling tank, the oiler noticed no change in the settling tank level.
Upon opening the float guide pipe flange to investigate, pressurized hot waste oil sprayed out, causing burns and spilling onto a running diesel generator. The oil ignited, spreading flames upwards through the engine room.
Why It Happened
Accumulated viscous sludge in the waste oil settling tank caused the float level indicator to stick, giving an incorrect reading.
Evidence suggests the sludge pump operated longer than recorded, causing the tank to overfill, creating pressure that forced oil out of the open flange.
The crew lacked knowledge of safer methods to release a stuck float, prompting risky troubleshooting efforts.
Preventive Actions
Company took initiatives like refresher training, dissemination of safety circulars, a new risk assessment for waste oil transfer, and mandatory safety discussions onboard.
Manufacturers’ role included instructions for releasing stuck floats in manuals and updating distributors about these amendments.
Recommendations
- Ensure vessels are equipped with comprehensive manuals for all onboard-level indicators.
- Manufacturers must incorporate procedures to address stuck floats in their instruction manuals for future prevention.
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Source: MSIU
