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1. In recent past fire incident reported on a ship during her laden voyage. The fire incident occurred due to Lub. Oil spray from a gear box lube oil high pressure line splashing oil on to hot surface of main engine exhaust cladding igniting fire.

Later an inspection of piping system revealed that the rupture of high pressure L.O. line occurred due to use of unauthorised copper pipe in place of original OEM supplied spares (Steel Pipe) which led to failure of copper pipe due to vibrations and contact damage during course of operation. It appeared that there were lapses during repair & maintenance and subsequent periodical inspection by ship staff.

2. This caused major damages to main engine exhaust lagging, requiring release of fixed firefighting CO2 system to extinguish fire.

3. These incidents provide an opportunity to re-look at Safe Working Practices followed for critical operations on-board and Safety Management System implemented by Companies.

4. Few effective ways to prevent similar incidents in future could be:

a) Ensuring that no unauthorized modifications / repairs are carried out onboard and any repairs carried out are only as per OEM recommendations with their supplied spares including compliance to original specifications and/or as-fitted/approved drawings.

b) Adequate instruction/skill training is provided to crew member so as to ensure that they are aware of pitfalls associated with unauthorized use of spares or any modifications during routine maintenance and repairs.

c) Ensuring that the securing devices, valves & fittings of all piping system of essential machineries / critical operations are maintained in satisfactory condition and periodically inspected to ensure safe operation.

d) Maintaining satisfactory condition of Lagging and anti-splash tapes on various exhaust systems and joints of valves and fuel oil pipeline joints.

e) Identification and elimination of Hot Spots in the exhaust system and compliance verified during company internal inspection and audits.

f) Safe working practices are followed at all times.

5. Owners & Managers are to take note of above in order that preventive actions can be taken to avoid similar situations in future. 

Enclosure:

• Nil.

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.          

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