Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Ocean-Intervention

On December 2, 2021, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released Marine Accident Brief 21/26, uncovering the details surrounding the diesel generator engine failure that resulted in a fire aboard the 'Ocean Intervention' on December 19, 2020, close to Honolulu. Fortunately, all 16 crew members were unharmed and there were no pollution incidents due to the fire that erupted in the engine room, which caused extensive damage exceeding $3 million. The crew had been addressing speed fluctuation concerns linked to the number 1 and number 3 diesel generators while at anchorage, performing essential replacement and calibration of various electrical components along with multiple engine restarts. During normal operations, the number 3 diesel generator experienced a catastrophic failure—specifically, the connecting rod for cylinder number 1 was violently ejected through the engine crankcase at full speed. This incident led to the release of atomized oil, which ignited and sparked the engine room fire. Quick and decisive action from the crew successfully isolated and extinguished the fire before it could spread, safeguarding the vessel and its personnel. The NTSB pinpointed the cause of the generator failure to a connecting rod bearing that had adhered to the crankshaft, ultimately leading to the engine's catastrophic damage. To mitigate similar incidents, the NTSB stresses the importance of crew training on emergency protocols for machinery, fuel oil, lube oil, and ventilation shutoff systems, enabling rapid response to potential engine room fires. For further details, the complete report is available at https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAB2126.pdf.