Small Craft – Engine Damage Claim

We at Constellation Marine Services were appointed by the Hull and Machinery underwriters to investigate and factually report upon cause, extent, and mature of engine damage reported on small craft (Pilot boat).

The below narrative leads us to the damage of port side main propulsion engine of pilot boat underwritten by our client, the insurer.

Fact of Incident
While proceeding with the pilot the pilot boat skipper heard unusual noise coming from the engine room. It was further noticed that port engine temperature had reached 90 degrees on the panel. He requested the motorman to have a look in the engine room. The motorman had observed that cooling water was coming out from the exhaust manifold.
The skipper of the pilot boat stopped the port engine immediately and proceeded to the jetty with one engine that is the starboard engine.
The boat was insured. The Superintendent of the boat, owning the company got in touch with the underwriters to the boat. The underwriters got in touch with Constellation Marine Services LLC to investigate the cause, nature and extent of damage.

Independent Surveyor’s Appointment:
As soon as we received information from the underwriters, we proceeded to the repair workshop where the engine was dismantled. It was observed that the engine was completely dismantled. We observed extensive damage to the engine. It was noted that the engine was of 6 cylinders and 4-stroke type.

Details of the extensive damages observed were as follows:
1. Cylinder liners: All 6-cylinder liners were with scoring marks and internal crack with water leaking.
2. Cylinder heads: No.2,3,4,5 and 6 noted with cracks between the narrow area between the valves
3. Exhaust manifold :Water jacket area with internal crack and water leak
4. Pistons: All 6 pistons with scoring marks and rings in no.6 piston stuck and burnt.

Based on the scrutiny of the above we requested the boat company to make available the following documents for review,
1. Statement of the master and crew of the vessel.
2 .Maintenance records for one year prior to the incident.
3. Manufacturer’s recommended periodical chart
4 .Last two lub oil analysis report.
5 .Engine running hours
6. Estimate and detailed damage report from the repairers.
7 .Latest survey report from class.

Based on the above, we revert our findings as follows,
The water from the water chamber due to the crack in the exhaust manifold casing entered the gas chamber of the exhaust manifold casing from where it percolated to various units .From the units the water went downwards into the oil sump ,causing the water to mix with lube oil affecting its lubricity and causing the sump level to rise.

The lack of lubricity of the lube oil affected the lubrication of moving parts causing damage to piston, piston rings, cylinder liner and the bearings.

We at Constellation have the experience in doing engine damage surveys. The company has done numerous engine damage surveys. We have a total of approximately 25000 nominations (all put together since inception). Our professionalism has resulted in a satisfactory clientele by our independent honest & unbiased factual findings without opinions unless technically inclined & explicitly asked for our clients. We respond quickly to the needs of our clients. Most of our offices at Dubai, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, London, and Singapore are with closed proximity to the port including our liaison offices at Germany, The Netherlands, China, Philippines, West and South Africa.

Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional Team Constellation a highly professional & experienced Master Mariners, Naval Architects, Tanker Masters, Engineers, Consultants, Marine Asset Valuers and a team of Qualified Surveyors with expertise and experience in different areas of marine activities offering round the clock services to the clients in shipping and insurance industry with direct presence at all sea ports in UAE and with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah just a call away from these ports. Constellation has international offices in UK and Singapore and associates all over Middle East and UAE, London, Holland, Germany, West Africa, Cape Town, Oman, China, Singapore. Survey, Inspection,investigation Risk and Root Cause Analysis Load Test of Lifting Gears Certification Mrine & Insurance Clam Consultancy Vessel Valuation Dry Cargo Bulk Break Bulk Project Cargo Dry Container Survey Draught Survey Pre-shipment Condition Pre-shipment Condition Pre-discharge Condtion Pre-dischsrge Condition Stuffing Unstuffing Stow Cargo Damage Surey Loading Discharging Survey Taly Cagrgo Container Damage Sampling & Analysis Damage Short Landing Survey Dangerous Cargo Survey Pre-shipment Condition Stowage Plan Preparation Reefer Container Short Landing Investigation Cargo Hold Inspection Truck Inspection Lashing & Securing Certification Pti Inspection Survey Loading off Loading on Board Stowge Supervision Container Condition Survey Supervision Uld Inspection of Hatch Covers Temp Set. Vent Inspection Cargo Hold/hatch Inspection Cargo Land Transportation Stuffing Unstuffing Stow Weighment Witnessing Cargo Damage Investigation Reefer Cargo Damage Survey Sealing/unsealing Short Landing Investigation Reefer Cargo Damage Investigat Bunker Survey Petroleum On Hire/off Hire Rob Survey Vessel Tank Inspetion and Certification On Hire Off Hire Bunker & Condition Survey. Petrolem Prduct Quantify Survey Sampling & Sealing Prduct Loading Dischrging and Sampling Witnessing Sample Lab Analysis. Cargo Contamination Investigation Magnetic Compass Adjustment & Deviation Card Hull & Machinery Damge Survey Sts Operation Ism, Isps and Mlc Audits Project Cargo Transportation Loading discharging Marine Warranty Surveys Project Management & Decommissioning Supervision for Off Shore Structures Rig Moves, Location Approvals and Off Shore Warranty Inspection Prior & During Moves. Heavy Cargo Lifting Plan Review, Preparation of Stowage& Lashing Plan Towing Arrangement Plan and Tow Approvals. Collision Damage Survey, Repair Cost Estimation and Investigation P&i Pre-entry Vessel Conition Surveys Hull & Machinery Conditon Surveys Root Cause Analysis of Maritime Accidents. Issuance of Charterd Engineer Certificate for Export Machinery. Valuation Pre-purchase Conditiion Surveys & Sea Trials Marine Vessel Condition Inspection&valuation Vessel Valuation. Valuation Marine Asset, Machinery& Equipment Constellation Marine is managed by four board members UK, connected with various facets of the marine business like Maritime Law & Marine insurance individually. Constellation Marine Surveyors & Consultants are independent and professional in every of our conduct. take up appointments for ship owner, trader or insurance companies Constellation Marine has registered offices in UK, Singapore and Middle East specializing in Maritime and energy claims, offshore marine warranty inspection, ship and cargo inspections for principals, insurance companies and charterers and P&I Clubs as our main principals instructing us repeatedly global company with branches in Dubai, London, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Yemen Liason offices at Germany, Holland, China, west South Africa.