Tanker engine room fire caused by maintenance error

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that a maintenance error caused an engine room fire aboard the Maltese-flagged tanker Endo Breeze last year, resulting in $1.2 million in damages. The incident occurred on April 29, 2022, while the tanker was transiting the Raritan Bay West Reach canal near Staten Island, New York. The fire was ignited when oil spray from a fuel injection pump on the starboard main engine came into contact with nearby hot surfaces. The crew quickly responded and contained the fire by removing sources of fuel and oxygen and activating the ship’s fixed fire suppression system.

The NTSB investigation found that the cause of the oil splatter was a slight misalignment in the hollow tube assembly of engine No. 1-cylinder injection pump. It was discovered that the technician had not correctly followed the manufacturer’s procedure for assembling the injection pump during the maintenance carried out the day before the fire. The NTSB emphasized the importance of following maintenance procedures recommended by equipment manufacturers and highlighted the need for training to prevent and contain engine room fires.

The report recommended that operators provide seafarers with realistic, scenario-based training, including training that addresses engine room emergencies, and cover procedures for effectively shutting down machinery, fuel oil, lubricating oil, and ventilation systems, as well as border surveillance. The full Marine Investigation Report 23-25 is available for review.

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