Read Authentic Ratings for the Damgracht

A troubling incident involving the 'Damgracht' on August 21, 2022, has come to light, as a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report attributes a collision with the 'AP Revelin' to a malfunctioning engine triggered by a false alarm. This serious event, which occurred while the vessels were navigating through Sabine Pass, Texas, resulted in an estimated $3.4 million in damages. Investigations reveal that the 'Damgracht' was inbound to the Port of Beaumont, traveling at a speed of 15 knots under the watchful eye of a pilot when the main engine alarm activated, leading to an automatic shutdown. Concurrently, the weather conditions worsened, characterized by high humidity, which likely affected the engine system. During this critical moment, the vessel lost propulsion power, prompting the crew to send out emergency signals as the chief engineer scrambled to identify the cause of the alarm by inspecting the oil mist detector. As the 'Damgracht' slowed to 7.4 knots, its bow veered sharply to port. The pilot’s urgent command for a hard right turn failed to avert disaster, and the bow collided with the outbound 'AP Revelin'. The impact resulted in approximately 40 feet of hull plating near the stern being exposed, compromising its compartments above the waterline. At the time, 'AP Revelin' was approximately half a mile away and attempting to accelerate to avoid the impending collision but was ultimately unsuccessful with the drastic channel maneuvering. The subsequent investigation by the NTSB revealed that the damage to the 'AP Revelin' was predominantly located at the stern, while the 'Damgracht' showed acceptable denting on its bow. After the collision, repair estimates for the 'AP Revelin' were calculated to reach $3.4 million, with the vessel rendered out of service for 35 days. Crucially, records indicate that the previous day, the 'Damgracht' had already faced engine issues that required anchoring and repairs related to the main engine's no. 6 cylinder. Despite completing maintenance tasks, including installing a new head gasket and cylinder head, crew members relayed to the pilot that the vessel was in sound operational condition. However, the NTSB concluded that the prior night's repairs may have unintentionally introduced cooling water into the engine lubrication system. Compounding the situation were notably high humidity levels, which can elevate water content in lube oil systems. As a result of these findings, the report calls for heightened vigilance among engineers regarding water accumulation during maintenance and the implementation of thorough inspections of lube oil systems to prevent future incidents. In light of this incident, the NTSB strongly recommends ensuring that lube oil purifying equipment is fully operational to mitigate risks associated with water or other contaminants affecting engine performance.