Investigation number
271-MO-2009-011
Occurrence date
Location
Moreton Bay
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Systemic
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Incident
Highest injury level
Minor
Abstract
On 10 December 2009, during Maersk Duffield's transit into Brisbane, Queensland, the ship's number four diesel generator (4DG) suffered a catastrophic failure, disabling the generator and starting a fire. The engine room was evacuated, and the ship's fixed carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishing system was operated. After the fire was extinguished, the crew were able to restart most of the ship's equipment and it berthed the following morning.
The ATSB investigation found that it is possible that one or more of the connecting rod palm nuts or counterweight nuts had not been sufficiently tightened during recent overhauls and that the resultant failure of one of the retaining studs was the initiator of the catastrophic engine failure.
Vessel Details
Departure point
Singapore
Destination
Brisbane, QLD
Vessel name
Maersk Duffield
Flag
Liberia
IMO
9227340
Damage
Minor
Marine occurrence type
Fire
Departure time
1030
Marine Operation Category
Container ship