The Wight-Sky: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has unveiled a detailed report on April 28, 2022, concerning two significant engine failures aboard the Wight Sky. These incidents, which occurred on August 26 and December 14, 2018, led to a life-threatening fire while navigating the entrance of Lymington River and just prior to docking at Lymington Pier. The report highlights critical factors contributing to these incidents, including lapses in maintenance management and engine condition monitoring, as well as inadequate quality control measures, all of which played a role in the recurring engine failures observed in Wightlink ferries. Additionally, a factory assembly error has been identified as a core cause of the drastic engine failure. The report further elaborates on how the design and configuration of auxiliary systems, paired with certain engine operating parameters, have negatively impacted the long-term reliability of the main engine. For a comprehensive overview, access the full report here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6267cc85e90e071690c1b679/2022-4-WightSky-Report.pdf

An in-depth investigation into two engine malfunctions aboard a Solent ferry has revealed that assembly errors were at the root of the issues. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) released its findings on May 16, 2019, highlighting mistakes made by Volvo Penta, the Swedish engine manufacturer, along with a British Volvo dealer. These failures are part of a broader inquiry by the MAIB. The ferry experienced severe engine failures during sailings in August and December 2018. In the first incident, while navigating toward the Lymington River with 117 passengers onboard, one of the engines caught fire, a cause that remains unexplained to date. Fortunately, the fire was quelled thanks to the vessel's onboard water-mist fire suppression system. The second incident in December involved a newly-installed engine that failed due to a factory mistake; however, it was confirmed that this occasion did not result in any fire, contradicting earlier reports from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, which noted that a blaze had been put out by eight firefighting crews.

On December 14, 2018, the Wight Sky ferry encountered a significant emergency when a fire ignited in its engine room shortly after arriving at the Lymington ferry terminal from Yarmouth at 7 a.m. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated without injury. Emergency services, including the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, quickly responded to the scene, disrupting all ferry operations. The response team included at least five pumping appliances, an aerial ladder platform, and the Incident Command Unit. Additionally, South Central Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team and the Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team were on-site, while the Lymington RNLI lifeboat was deployed by Solent Coastguard. Firefighters, equipped with breathing apparatus, worked diligently to manage the fire, which remained contained within the engine room with no signs of spreading to other compartments. By 9:20 a.m., the fire was extinguished, allowing for a controlled response withdrawal. This incident marks the third engine room fire on the Wight Sky within just 15 months—previous fire incidents took place in September 2017 and August 26, 2018. Following an urgent service interruption in October 2018 to replace a faulty fuel injector, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was notified and deployed officers to assess the situation. The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has also been alerted. Meanwhile, passengers scheduled for the Lymington-Yarmouth route were diverted to the Portsmouth to Fishbourne service, ensuring minimal disruption. For detailed visuals and updates, visit the coverage on [Island Echo](https://www.islandecho.co.uk/engine-room-fire-breaks-out-on-wightlink-ferry/), [Daily Echo](https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/17298222.fire-breaks-out-on-cross-solent-wightlink-ferry/), and [IW Observer](https://iwobserver.co.uk/2018/12/14/engine-room-fire-on-board-wightlinks-vehicle-ferry/).