Engine room emergency hatch damage
- Safety Flash
- Published on 9 June 2017
- Generated on 7 November 2025
- IMCA SF 14/17
- 2 minute read
The engine room emergency hatch of an anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel was damaged while towing a barge
What happened?
An anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel, whilst towing a barge, encountered heavy seas (wind on the beam - 25 knots, waves - 2 m) and began to roll heavily. In order to avoid damage to the barge, the Master decided to slack off the towing wire by 10 m.
As soon as the vessel and barge came to calmer water, speed was picked up to 6-8 knots. Then, for other reasons, the Master had to reduce the speed of the vessel again.
The momentum of the barge was such that it continued to move in such a way that the towing line caught the open hatch of the emergency exit from the Engine Room, which had been kept open at sea.
What went wrong?
- All watertight openings were not physically inspected before sailing to ensure they were secured for sea, despite requirements in company operations manual that this should be done.
- Crew had decided to keep the Engine Room hatch open due to insufficient Engine Room ventilation leading to a high air temperatures, in turn leading to alarms being triggered.
- The problem with the ventilation system in the Engine Room had been experienced for a long period of time, but had not been reported to the relevant parties nor any investigation conducted.
- The original stern fenders of the vessel had been temporarily replaced by smaller fenders, which made it difficult to keep the towed barge tight to a stern of the vessel while towing.
Actions
- Any defect or abnormal condition onboard should be reported immediately to relevant parties.
- The problem with engine room ventilation system should be investigated.
- A new hatch should be fabricated and installed as soon as possible.
- Original fenders should be reinstalled at stern for safer towing operations.
- Further training should be provided on board emphasising importance of timely defect reporting.
- Further coaching and training should be provided on board to ensure proper physical inspection of all watertight openings before sailing.
Related safety flashes
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IMCA SF 32/16
29 November 2016
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