The Dutch Security Board has printed an investigation report into an incident wherein a deadly accident occurred on board the cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam following the failure of a bellows-type growth becoming within the steam pipes.
The incident
At about 09.15 hours native time on the morning of twenty-two March 2024, a deadly accident occurred on board the Dutch cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam when it was calling at Half Moon Cay within the Bahamas. In an space of the engine room, an growth joint in the primary steam pipe ruptured. By the ensuing gap within the steam system, the room shortly stuffed up with steam at a temperature exceeding 100 °C.
The steam was launched on the port facet, whereas two crew members had been working in the identical room on the starboard facet. As a result of the vessel was not alongside the jetty, the doorways on the ahead and aft of this room had been closed in accordance with the process.
Because of the pace with which the room stuffed up with the recent steam, the 2 crew members may not attain the doorways and the emergency exit and sustained deadly accidents.
Rupture of the growth joint on account of steam hammer
As a result of steam hammer within the steam system, the steam pipe ruptured in a weak spot: the growth joint. The rupture within the growth joint was massive sufficient to replenish the ahead sewage room quickly and completely with steam.
Upkeep previous to the prevalence
The steam hammer occurred as a result of a valve that was usually left barely open had been totally closed. This was performed on 17 March 2024, forward of the restore of one of many heaters within the steam system. The crew concerned knew that the valve was usually barely open so as to preserve the pipe heat, however they didn’t know that the act of closing the valve turned the pipe with the growth joint right into a useless finish the place condensate may construct up. If condensate builds up, it might probably stream again towards the route of the steam. The steam then re-heats this water, turning it again into steam. In consequence, the quantity all of the sudden will increase considerably, inflicting harmful peaks in strain (steam hammer). Not one of the crew members had been conscious of the hazard of the build-up of condensate on this a part of the steam piping.
Steam heaters not in use, however not totally closed both
Throughout regular operation, the steam heaters weren’t in use (aside from just a few days a yr). Nevertheless, this didn’t imply that each one steam heater valves had been totally closed. The need of holding the valves barely open was not lined within the work procedures on board. Consequently, the danger of the build-up of condensate because of closing the steam inlet pipe totally was not lined within the Lock Out Tag Out process, nor within the threat evaluation for steam system upkeep.
Steam hammer not lined by coaching or instruction
The crew didn’t obtain any coaching or instruction concerning the causes, risks, and prevention of steam hammer. The proprietor’s inner coaching and instruction concerning the steam system procedures are in keeping with worldwide laws and rules. The laws and rules don’t point out the danger of steam hammer in a steam system. In each the interior coaching and instruction and the procedures on board, the danger of the build-up of condensate and therefore the danger of steam hammer was assumed solely to be current in the course of the process to begin the steam system (or elements of it).
Design versus use of the steam system
The design of the steam system didn’t account for the likelihood that a part of the system was not in use. In follow, this meant that the valves within the department to port weren’t totally closed so as to forestall the build-up of condensate. As a result of a valve may very well be closed by mistake, this technique raised the danger of steam hammer.
Suggestions
Forestall structural workarounds in steam methods
Throughout regular operation of the steam system on board the Nieuw Amsterdam, a structural workaround was crucial (a valve was saved barely open) to stop condensate build-up within the system. Though a workaround is typically unavoidable in follow, its extended use needs to be averted.
Suggestion to Holland America Line (HAL)
To advertise the elimination of structural workarounds in steam methods on HAL vessels, the Dutch Security Board recommends the next to the HAL:
Examine all of your present ships to find out whether or not structural workarounds are getting used within the steam system throughout regular ship operations. If a structural workaround is discovered, the system or process needs to be modified in order that the crew not wants to make use of the workaround.
Suggestion to NMT-IRO23
To forestall steam methods that require the structural use of a workaround from being put in in new ships, the Dutch Security Board recommends the next to NMT-IRO:
Draw your members’ consideration to the necessity to keep away from putting in steam methods in new ships that require the structural use of a workaround throughout regular ship operation.Suggestion to the Royal Affiliation of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR)
To make sure that different delivery corporations may also be taught from this incident, the Dutch Security Board recommends the next to the KVNR:
Draw consideration to the necessity to keep away from the usage of structural workarounds in steam methods amongst your members and worldwide contacts.
Enhance crew consciousness of the dangers of condensate build-up and steam hammer in steam methods
The crew aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam had restricted information of the dangers of condensate build-up and steam hammer in steam methods. These dangers weren’t addressed in procedures and coaching. Crew coaching additionally pays little consideration to those dangers.
Suggestion to Holland America Line (HAL)
To extend crew information and consciousness of the dangers of condensate build-up and steam hammer in steam methods on HAL ships, the Dutch Security Board recommends the next to HAL:
Amend your procedures and coaching concerning working with steam methods in order that crews are higher conscious of the dangers of condensate build-up and steam hammer.
Suggestion to the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Administration (I&W)
To include the dangers of condensate build-up and steam hammer in steam methods into seafarer coaching, the Dutch Security Board recommends the next to the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Administration:
Submit a proposal to the Worldwide Maritime Group to amend the Requirements of Coaching, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) in order that the dangers of condensate build-up and steam hammer in steam methods are addressed in crew coaching. In anticipation of an modification to the STCW, convey these dangers and this case to the eye of maritime colleges within the Netherlands, in order that they will already handle them of their training.
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Supply: Dutch Security Board
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