Ruptured hydraulic hoses

A hydraulic hose ruptured and oil was spilt to the main deck below. The majority of the hydraulic oil (20 litres) landed on the deck but approximately 500 ml of oil went into the sea.

An ‘all stop’ was initiated and the spill on deck was immediately cleared up using a Ship Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) kit. The following day another hose ruptured in a similar location and all oil was contained on deck. The relevant authorities were notified.

• The ruptured hoses were badly corroded.
• The design or assembly of the hydraulic fittings had allowed water to accumulate around the neck of the fittings.
• The collection of water had eroded parts of the hoses resulting in the ruptures.
• Other hoses onboard were found to be in a similar state.
• The inspection of the vessel crane hydraulic hoses was conducted by vessel crew and a third-party contractor. The most recent inspection had taken place four months previous to the incidents occurring. It was found the crew and the third party inspection team had not removed the ‘denso’ tape wrapped around the hose fittings, thus the corrosion was not visible.
• It was apparent that the corrosion on the hoses had occurred over a long period of time and this should have been spotted by the inspection by vessel crew and contractor, and noted in their report.