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A ball of fire erupted in the engine room of the Australian tanker Helix when a flanged joint on a hydraulic system failed under pressure.
The fire was the result of the failure of bolts securing a flange on a hydraulic pump, according to a report released today by the Marine Incident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport and Regional Services.
Helix was berthed in Brisbane River discharging cargo on 17 October 1998 when the incident occurred.
The hydraulic pumps shut down automatically on loss of pressure, causing the fireball to be short-lived. Nobody was hurt and no pollution resulted. However, the three personnel who were in the engine room at the time had to make a hurried escape ahead of the fire.
In other parts of the ship, personnel heard and felt a thump as the spray of leaking hydraulic oil ignited on the exhaust of a diesel engine driving the hydraulic pump.
The fire alarm was sounded and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority were called while the crew mustered at their fire stations and all remote ventilation fan and fuel shut-offs were operated.
The smoke cleared very rapidly and two crew, wearing breathing apparatus, entered the engine room and put out two small residual fires.
Damage was limited to light fittings, melted indicator and warning lights and smoke damage.
Copies of the report can be obtained from:
Marine Incident Investigation Unit
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6274 6088
Reports may be downloaded from: www.atsb.gov.au/marine/index.aspx
Further information:
Director, Public Affairs: (02) 6274 7522
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