The National Transportation Safety Board has urged offshore operators to improve operations involving safety of jack up lift barges.
The recommendations came in NTSB's report on the sinking of the Titan 26 jack up lift barge, which sank in the Gulf of Mexico June 29, 1989 (OGJ, Aug. 7, 1989, p. 29).
NTSB concluded probable cause of the capsizing was the alleged failure of Coastal Marine Lift Barges Inc. to require inspection of supposedly watertight legs for flooding before lowering and floating the vessel. It said deficient design and inadequate repair procedures permitted cracks to develop in the lift boat legs.
It said the legs were almost fully raised when the Titan lost stability and capsized, because of cracks that allowed the starboard leg to flood, in addition to the effects of sea motion, wind, and water on deck.
NTSB said the accident probably could have been averted had the master of the vessel inspected the legs for flooding before lowering the vessel or if the legs had had high water alarms.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It recommended the U.S. Coast Guard study ways to monitor watertight legs on lift boats to guard against flooding and require masters to inspect the legs before jacking down.
It said the Coast Guard should expedite publication of final rules setting inspection and structural standards for new and existing lift boats.
NTSB found too few life preservers were stowed near the designated emergency muster station, lifefloats did not deploy when the Titan capsized, a single door was inadequate to provide emergency escape from the second deck level, and workers were not well trained for the accident.
It also said Titan lacked sufficient deck securing fittings to restrain equipment from shifting when it heeled to starboard and the shifting equipment accelerated the capsizing.
NTSB urged the Offshore Marine Services Association to advise its member companies operating lifeboats that legs should be checked before jacking down vessels and to ensure information and stability calculations in operating manuals be clearly presented and include countermeasures for flooded legs.
It urged the association's companies to conduct regular safety meetings and emergency drills and improve lifesaving and survival training programs.
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