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Debris in lube oil caused engine room fire onboard passenger vessel in 2023, says NTSB

NTSB investigators found that debris in an engine’s lube oil system led to a diesel engine failure and an engine room fire aboard “Ocean Navigator” docked in Portland, Maine.

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Debris in lube oil caused engine room fire onboard passenger vessel, says NTSB

Debris in an engine’s lube oil system led to a diesel engine failure and an engine room fire aboard a passenger vessel docked in Portland, Maine, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday (22 April).

The passenger vessel Ocean Navigator was moored at the Ocean Gateway Terminal on 18 October 2023, when the no. 2 auxiliary diesel generator engine suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure that seriously injured one crew member and resulted in an engine-room fire. Crewm embers secured ventilation to the engine room, and the fire self-extinguished. None of the 128 passengers onboard were injured, and no pollution was reported. Damage to the vessel was estimated at USD 2.4 million. 

After the fire, third-party technicians disassembled all components from the no. 2 auxiliary engine and found the crankshaft, several main bearings, connecting rod bearings and the no. 14 fuel injector were damaged. An additional inspection found abnormal wear on the connecting rod bearings and main bearings, which showed signs of cavitation erosion bearing damage, as well as damage from debris, which had been introduced at some point into the lube oil system.

NTSB investigators found the engine failure was caused by debris in the engine’s lube oil system—possibly due to the crew exceeding manufacturer-recommended intervals for changing the lube oil and oil filter elements—which caused catastrophic mechanical damage to the engine and a subsequent fire from the ignition of atomise lube oil released through the engine’s ruptured crankcase.

The crew had last changed the entire quantity of lube oil for the no. 2 auxiliary engine in September 2022—about 13 months before the engine failure—but the engine had operated more than 5,000 hours with this lube oil in the engine, five times longer than the manufacturer’s recommendation. Additionally, since the last change of the lube oil filter elements in May 2023, the engine had run over 3,000 hours. 

The engine manufacturer’s recommendation is to replace filter elements at every oil change or after the filter elements had been used for 1,000 hours.

“Manufacturers provide maintenance recommendations and intervals (schedules) to ensure equipment operates safely, optimally, and reliably throughout its service life,” the report said. 

“By regularly reviewing equipment manufacturer manuals and guidance, operators can ensure conformance with recommended maintenance plans and mitigate the risk of equipment malfunction or failure.” 

NTSB also found the crew’s quick action to secure engine room ventilation and engine fuel sources prevented the fire from spreading.

“Engine rooms contain multiple fuel sources as well as mechanical ventilation, making the spaces especially vulnerable to rapidly spreading fires,” the report said. 

“After an engine room fire ignites, it is imperative to remove the sources of available fuel and ventilation to the fire to prevent it from spreading. Vessel crews should familiarise themselves and train frequently on machinery, fuel oil, lube oil, and ventilation shutoff systems to quickly act to contain and suppress engine room fires before they can spread to other spaces.”

Note: Marine Investigation Report 25-13​ is available online.​

 

Photo credit: National Transportation Safety Board
Published: 24 April, 2025

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Environment

Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 mt of waste oil on 12 January 2025; the wreck was discovered in March 2025 and was found to have drifted about 13 nautical miles from its original sinking site.

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July 20, 2026

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Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs on Tuesday (14 July) held a cross-agency coordination meeting to expedite efforts in handling the Malaysian-flagged tanker Silver Sincere that sank off Bintan Regency, Riau Islands.

The vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of waste oil on 12 January 2025. 

According to authorities, the ship sank within Indonesian waters. After several surveys, the wreck was finally discovered in March 2025 and it was found to have shifted approximately 13 nautical miles from the initial sinking location.

The meeting was aimed to align cross-ministerial and institutional measures to expedite the handling of the Silver Sincere wreck while minimising risks to shipping safety, the marine environment, and national interests.

Deputy for Coordination of State Defense and National Unity Purwito Hadi Wardhono emphasised that the handling of the impact of the Silver Sincere sinking was the first case to be comprehensively coordinated, serving as a model for handling foreign vessels sinking within Indonesian jurisdiction.

Through this cross-sectoral coordination, the government will establish a clear and measurable framework that can serve as a reference for resolving similar cases in the future, while minimising state losses due to environmental pollution, damage to underwater ecosystems and infrastructure, and disruption to shipping lanes.

“The most important thing is to immediately stop and prevent the negative impacts of this ship sinking,” Purwito said.

“Therefore, a coordinating role is crucial, as maritime security governance involves various ministries and institutions with varying authorities, allowing for faster, more integrated, and more effective response,” he said. 

He added that the Silver Sincere was a Malaysian-flagged vessel that sank within Indonesian jurisdiction, and therefore, all handling processes must comply with the provisions of Indonesian laws and regulations.

In the meeting, Prof. Eko Ganis Sukoharsono, representing the SAE Energy Consulting Team, presented the results of an analysis based on 14 observation periods using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery. 

The analysis results showed strong indications of a waste oil spill that has resulted in marine pollution, damage to the seabed due to shifting shipwrecks, disruption of coastal ecosystems and fishing grounds, and potentially threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities around the Riau Islands. 

Purwito added these findings further emphasise the importance of accelerating the removal of the shipwrecks to prevent widespread environmental impacts, maintain shipping safety, and avoid the potential for greater state losses.

The meeting brought together representatives of related ministries and institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment, Attorney General’s Office.  

Related: MPA: Malaysia-registered tanker “Silver Sincere” sinks off Pedra Branca

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Julian T
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Incident

Port of Antwerp-Bruges restores partial shipping operations after acid leak

Port authority said a container of hydrofluoric acid was damaged and began leaking aboard the cargo vessel “Mia Summer II” at the Deurganck Dock on 14 July.

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July 16, 2026

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Port of Antwerp-Bruges

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges on Wednesday (15 July) said shipping operations are permitted throughout the port area on the left bank in the port after an acid leak from a damaged cargo vessel disrupted operations. 

In a notice on its website, the port authority said a container of hydrofluoric acid (HF or hydrogen fluoride) was damaged and began leaking aboard the cargo vessel Mia Summer II at the Deurganck Dock on 14 July. 

Several workers became unwell as a result. They received immediate medical care and were evacuated to various hospitals.

The municipal emergency response phase was activated with emergency services responding in large numbers, carried out air quality measurements, and implemented measures to bring the situation safely under control.

Shipping traffic was suspended temporarily in the affected area.

On 15 July, the port authority said all terminals, except for MPET’s, were permitted to resume operations.

Specialist teams are on standby to remove the container from the vessel.

 

Photo credit: Port of Antwerp Bruges
Published: 16 July, 2026

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Incident

MPA ‘deeply concerned’ over projectile strike on Singapore-registered ship in Hormuz Strait

Container ship “Ever Lovely” sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on 25 June at about 10pm (Singapore Time).
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June 29, 2026

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Container ship “Ever Lovely”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (26 June) said the Singapore-registered container ship Ever Lovely sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on 25 June at about 10pm (Singapore Time). 

The vessel has since completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz and is proceeding on its voyage.

“All 21 crew members are safe. There are no Singaporeans onboard,” MPA said in a statement. 

MPA said it will continue to remain in close contact with the vessel’s management company and provide the necessary assistance.

“MPA is deeply concerned about the incident, which was unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a breach of international law,” it added.

“All actions affecting international shipping must fully comply with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and not endanger the safety of seafarers and ships at sea.”

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Michael Schindler
Published: 29 June, 2026

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