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4.2 - Admission of ballast
water at the port bow
Analysis
When the inclination of the platform caused by the entry
of water to the damaged column was found, the unit's
coordination determined that the ballast tanks located
on the diametrically opposed column (forward port) should
be loaded with sea water to re-establish the operating
conditions of the platform. It is important to emphasize
that the action taken to correct the inclination of
the platform accelerated the undesirable increase in
its draft.
The admission of ballast water to the port bow, carried
out by gravity, only ended when the tanks were completely
full. At this time the platform continued to be flooded
by seawater through the open sea chest on the damaged
column.
No additional action was taken to contain the flooding
of the aft starboard column neither to de-water it,
or transfer ballast water between the intact columns
to maintain the platform level with the least possible
alteration in draft. On the other hand, actions of this
nature would have been difficult since two of the seawater
pumps (port side aft and forward) were not operating.
Identification of non conformities
With respect to the control of stability of a floating
platform in a damaged condition, the following non conformities
were identified:
- ineffectiveness of the action to contain flooding
of the damaged column, dewater it or transfer ballast
water between the undamaged columns; and
- insufficient coordination and training of personnel
in emergency stability control.
The following non conformity with respect to maintenance
procedures was also identified:
- two seawater pressure pumps out of operation due
to maintenance problems.
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