DAMAGE TO MAIN ENGINE

11th Oct. 04

Heard a heavy shuddering sound.

Rushed to ECR and saw that Main Engine had tripped on over-speed and stern tube low-level alarm had come on. On rushing to the bottom platform saw the plummer block had got uprooted, and the bolts between the tail shaft and intermediate shaft had got stripped off.

On seeing under the floor plate it was found that the intermediate shaft had got sheared off. The forward stern tube seal had got damaged and all the oil had drained out. There was no leakage of water into the E/R.

The cause of the shaft breakage was due to torsional fatigue failure.