The document describes a breakdown of a generator engine on a cargo ship. The crankshaft balance weight came off, damaging the cylinder block and bending the crankshaft. It is presumed the mounting bolts for the balance weight loosened over time, causing it to detach and impact the inside of the crank case. As an emergency measure, a portable generator was brought onboard and the ship's engineers planned repairs when arriving at a Japanese port.
The document describes a breakdown of a generator engine on a cargo ship. The crankshaft balance weight came off, damaging the cylinder block and bending the crankshaft. It is presumed the mounting bolts for the balance weight loosened over time, causing it to detach and impact the inside of the crank case. As an emergency measure, a portable generator was brought onboard and the ship's engineers planned repairs when arriving at a Japanese port.
The document describes a breakdown of a generator engine on a cargo ship. The crankshaft balance weight came off, damaging the cylinder block and bending the crankshaft. It is presumed the mounting bolts for the balance weight loosened over time, causing it to detach and impact the inside of the crank case. As an emergency measure, a portable generator was brought onboard and the ship's engineers planned repairs when arriving at a Japanese port.
The document describes a breakdown of a generator engine on a cargo ship. The crankshaft balance weight came off, damaging the cylinder block and bending the crankshaft. It is presumed the mounting bolts for the balance weight loosened over time, causing it to detach and impact the inside of the crank case. As an emergency measure, a portable generator was brought onboard and the ship's engineers planned repairs when arriving at a Japanese port.
Date of build July 1981, at a Japanese dockyard Navigation route Tramper (Japan - North America / Asia) Trouble machinery Category Generator engine Name Crankshaft with Balance weight Type S185L-UT Date of trouble Morning of February 1, 1995 (during voyage)
1. Outline of breakdown
The ship is equipped with two generators of A fuel oil exclusive combustion. It is designed to use one unit while at sea, and to use two units in parallel when entering/leaving port and handling cargo (derrick type). At the time of this incident, when the No. 2 generator was operating independently, the engine suddenly stopped. Inspection revealed that the cylinder block, crankshaft, etc. were damaged; the No. 3 cylinder crank arm balance weight had come off. In addition, the crankshaft was bent.
2. Cause
It is presumed that the balance weight came off and damaged sections within the crank case. Although two mounting bolts for the balance weight are provided with locking washers, either or both of these bolts presumably began loosening while in use, and developed over an extended period to even- tually come off or break. The balance weight then sprang and damaged the inside of the crank case.
3. Repair
As an emergency measure to ensure a safe voyage, a portable generator (rented) was arranged to be delivered to the nearest port and installed on the ship there. Also, it was decided to request a dispatch for the maker's engineer to have detailed checks performed while at sea and arrange repair method and repair parts so that the problem can be addressed when the ship calls a Japanese port. Furthermore, a chief engineer had reported that, a few months before this incident, balance weight mounting bolts had been found loose and were tightened in another ship under our control.
