Safety Flash
Thruster feedback incident
Thruster feedback incident
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 01/00
- Machinery and Equipment
- Loss of station keepingMechanical failure
- Dynamic positioning
- Rotating machinery
- Alarm management
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A vessel operating in Class 2 alongside a platform experienced a drive-off after severe gear wear in a thruster’s azimuth feedback unit. Incorrect thrust direction appeared normal to the operator, and the mismatch alarm did not activate. No damage or injury occurred; the company advised assessment and preventative measures for affected arrangements.
Classifications: Loss of station keeping; drive-off; drift-off.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Dynamic positioning; DP; DP operations.
Classifications: Rotating machinery; rotating equipment.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A worn azimuth feedback mechanism caused a thruster to deliver thrust in a false direction without triggering its mismatch alarm.
IMCA SF 01/00. Themes: machinery and equipment.