Passenger Vessel Ocean Navigator before the fire
​​Ocean Navigator docked in Portland, Maine, on October 19, 2023, after the fire.

Diesel Generator Engine Failure aboard Passenger Vessel Ocean Navigator

What Happened

​On October 18, 2023, about 0710, the passenger vessel Ocean Navigator was moored at the Ocean Gateway Terminal in Portland, Maine, with 210 persons aboard when the no. 2 auxiliary diesel generator engine suffered a mechanical failure. The failure led to the ejection of components from the engine and resulted in a fire in the engine room. Crewmembers secured ventilation to the engine room, and the fire self-extinguished. One crewmember near the engine at the time of the failure was seriously injured. No passengers were injured, and no pollution was reported. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $2.4 million.

What We Found

​We determined that the probable cause of the failure of the no. 2 auxiliary diesel generator engine and resulting engine room fire on board the passenger vessel Ocean Navigator was debris entrained in the engine’s lube oil system—possibly due to the crew exceeding manufacturer-recommended intervals for changing the lube oil and oil filter elements—which caused catastrophic mechanical damage to the engine​.

Lessons Learned

​​Containing Engine Room Fires

Engine rooms contain multiple fuel sources as well as mechanical ventilation, making the spaces especially vulnerable to rapidly spreading fires. After an engine room fire ignites, it is imperative to remove the sources of available fuel and ventilation to the fire to prevent it from spreading. In the engine room fire aboard the Ocean Navigator, the crew’s quick action to secure engine room ventilation and engine fuel sources prevented the spread of fire and ultimately resulted in the fire self-extinguishing. Vessel crews should familiarize themselves and train frequently on machinery, fuel oil, lube oil, and ventilation shutoff systems to quickly act to contain and suppress engine room fires before they can spread to other spaces.


Adhering to Manufacturer’s Recommended Maintenance Procedures and Intervals

Manufacturers provide maintenance recommendations and intervals (schedules) to ensure equipment operates safely, optimally, and reliably throughout its service life. By regularly reviewing equipment manufacturer manuals and guidance, operators can ensure conformance with recommended maintenance plans and mitigate the risk of equipment malfunction or failure.  ​

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