NTSB: Cracked cylinder cooling jacket led to bulker grounding

Nenita

The following is a marine accident brief from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB):

(WASHINGTON) — ​On Nov. 19, 2016, the fully-laden bulk carrier Nenita, registered in the Marshall Islands, was outbound on the Columbia River when the vessel suffered an engine failure impacting its ability to maneuver. The vessel subsequently ran aground at Three Tree Point on the Washington state side of the river, damaging its bulbous bow and hull. After the grounding, Nenita was towed to Longview, Wash., for temporary repairs. Two weeks later, the vessel resumed the voyage to its original destination. There were no injuries or reported pollution as a result of the accident.

Probable cause

​The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the grounding of the bulk carrier Nenita was the failure of a main engine cylinder cooling jacket that initiated an automatic reduction in engine speed, resulting in the eventual loss of steerageway. Contributing to the accident was the lack of information relayed from shipboard personnel to the pilot about the status of the main engine, which prevented him from taking effective corrective action following the engine casualty.

Click here to read the report.

By Professional Mariner Staff