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Viking Sky report cites low lube oil in blackout that nearly led to grounding

Viking Sky came within a ship’s length of grounding during a raging storm off the coast of Norway last March following a blackout caused by low lubricating oil in the diesel generators.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

November 14, 2019

2 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

The Viking Cruises ship was near Hustadvika when all three of its operating engines shut down, causing a blackout and loss of propulsion.

Oil levels below manufacturer’s recommendation

An interim report from the Accident Investigation Board Norway found that lubricating oil levels in the engines were maintained at 28% to 40% capacity, well below MAN Diesels & Turbo’s recommendation to maintain them at 68% to 75% capacity.

‘The diesel generators shut down as a result of the loss of lubricating oil suction due to low sump tank levels, combined with pitching and rolling,’ the report said.

Shortly after the incident, a preliminary investigation had suggested the heavy seas ‘probably caused movements in the tanks so large that the supply to the lubricating oil pumps stopped.’

Mayday and mustering

The captain broadcast a mayday signal and both anchors were dropped but they did not hold. Viking Sky continued to drift toward shore. The emergency alarm was sounded to muster passengers and crew.

The ship was carrying 915 passengers and 458 crew.

Within 30 seconds of the blackout, the emergency diesel generator started and powered the emergency switchboard. The engineers transferred lubricating oil into the three operational engines and eventually were able to restart them but had to continuously balance the electrical load manually. The vessel was maneuvered towards open waters, still with both anchors lowered.

Investigators estimated Viking Sky came within a ship’s length of grounding, having passed over or in immediate proximity to 10-meter shoals before propulsion could be restored.

Mass evacuation by helicopter

The Southern Norway Joint Rescue Coordination Center launched a major rescue operation to evacuate passengers, with the first helicopter arriving within about 40 minutes. Passengers were evacuated by helicopter until the morning. All told, a reported 479 evacuated passengers had been received at the emergency center ashore.

The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommended vessel owners and operators ensure engine lubricating oil tank levels are maintained in accordance with engine manufacturers’ instructions and topped up in the event of poor weather being forecast.

The investigation continues

The safety investigation into this accident will continue. Areas of further investigation include engine room alarm management,  voyage planning, decision support, lubricating oil management, evacuation and lifesaving appliances, safety management, local weather conditions, bathymetry and Safe Return to Port.

The interim report is here.

Read more about:

Norway

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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