Independent investigation into the engine room fire on board the Liberian registered container ship Maersk Duffield, in Moreton Bay, Queensland, on 10 December 2009

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.