Executive summary
On Thursday 7 June 2001 at about 2332, the passenger and freight ferry "Arahura", with 63 passengers and 68 crew on board, was approaching Wellington when a machinery space fire alarm that had been activated was being investigated. On opening the sliding watertight door to the machinery space the engineers were met by water pouring from the space at a height of about 1.6 m above the floor plates. The door was closed again and pumps started to pump the water overboard. Prior to the flooding being discovered the watchkeeping engineer had been pumping engine room bilges for some time. On inspection it was found that an incorrectly configured sea suction valve was not completely closed and had allowed sea water to be pumped into the space via a bilge water collection tank overflow pipe. There were no injuries to passengers or crew and the damage to machinery and electrical systems was moderate.
Safety issues identified included:
• parts of the training and familiarisation for engineer watchkeepers
• the manning level of the engine room
• some of the watchkeeping and alarm monitoring practices aboard the Arahura
• the incorrectly configured sea suction valve of which the crew had been aware for 18 years.
Safety recommendations were made to Tranz Rail Limited to address the safety issues.
Related Recommendations
Change the written procedures regarding the closing of watertight doors to reflect the intent of Maritime Rule Part 23 [Operational Procedures and Training]
Critically review the familiarisation and training programs for watchkeeping engineers to ensure that they fully cover all aspects of engine room watchkeeping.
Review the system for determining the eligibility of candidates for maritime qualifications.
Modify the engine room alarm indicating system to ensure the watchkeeper can detect an alarm from anywhere in the engine room
Change the system for reporting fire alarms to ensure both the fire zone and the corresponding space are identified
Critically review the experience and manning levels for engine room watches and stand by periods, and ensure an appropriate level of experience is present in the engine room at all times
Conduct a review of engine room watch keeping practices on board all company ships, and then issue instructions on the correct procedures to follow, particularly in relation to alarm monitoring