Oil leakage from vessel crane onto quayside

What happened

A hydraulic pipe burst causing an oil leak. The incident occurred when a vessel was alongside retrieving anchor handling chains from chain lockers to the main deck. This operation had been ongoing for nine hours at the time of the incident. There was little or no adequate lighting on the quayside.

During movement of the vessel’s crane, the Bosun observed the wet stains of leaking hydraulic oil which had spilled on the surface of the quayside platform gratings and onto the concrete. The job was stopped, and deck crew started searching for the leakage source. The crew inspected the quayside to check for spillage.

What went wrong

• During inspection it was discovered that there was a rupture in a hydraulic hose of the vessel crane.
• Though a search for leakage to the quay took place, poor lighting meant that the crew failed to notice any sign of oil spillage;
• There was a lack of compliance with incident reporting requirements – this incident was initially left unreported by the vessel crew;
• It was subsequently discovered that the crew were unaware of the requirements to report any releases or spills to the environment.

What was done next

• Ensure crew properly understand the need to report any releases or spills to the environment;
• Ensure planned maintenance of hydraulic hoses – regular visual inspection to be instituted, and regular and immediate renewal of hoses based on their physical condition.

Members may wish to refer to

• LTI – rigger tripped over quayside obstacle in the dark and fell
• Pollution caused by burst hydraulic hose (2005)
• Failure to report hydraulic leak subsea