NTSB Safety Recommendation P-00-014

NTSB safety recommendation P-00-014.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION: REQUIRE CORRECTIVE ACTION AS APPROPRIATE TO ENSURE THAT PIPELINE OPERATORS HAVE THE MEANS TO SHUT OFF THE FLOW OF NATURAL GAS TO PERMANENTLY MOORED VESSELS IN A TIMELY MANNER, EVEN DURING PERIODS OF HIGH-WATER CONDITIONS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2000-09-27

Adopted Date: 2000-09-08

Overall Date Closed: 2001-09-12

Synopsis: About 1950 on April 4, 1998, a tow of the M/V Anne Holly, comprising 12 loaded and 2 empty barges, which was traveling northbound on the Mississippi River through the St. Louis Harbor, struck the Missouri-side pier of the center span of the Eads Bridge. Eight barges broke away from the tow and drifted back through the Missouri span. Three of these barges drifted toward the President Casino on the Admiral (Admiral), a permanently moored vessel (PMV) below the bridge on the Missouri side of the river. The drifting barges struck the moored Admiral, causing 8 of its 10 mooring lines to break. No deaths resulted from the accident; 50 people were examined for minor injuries. Of those examined, 16 were sent to local hospitals for further treatment. Damages were estimated at $11 million.

Ntsbnumber: DCA98MM027

Report Number: MAR-00-01

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2001-09-12

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2001-09-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board understands that RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety published an Advisory Notice in the Federal Register on March 9, 2001, reminding gas distribution pipeline operators of the potential dangers associated with the difficulty in locating and operating valves that are submerged during high-water conditions. Specifically, the pipeline safety regulations at 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 192.365(b) require that each service line must have a shut-off valve in a readily accessible location, meaning that the line shut-off must be operable under all reasonably anticipated conditions. For a permanently moored vessel (PMV), a reasonably anticipated condition includes high water and flooding. In the notice, RSPA advises owners and operators to examine the accessibility during a high-water event of the shut-off valves on lines serving PMVs. Further, RSPA advises operators to either locate gas service line valves where they will not be affected by flooding or to install equipment such as extra height operators or valve key guides that will allow service valves to be readily located and operated. In addition, operators are urged to review their operations and maintenance manual and their emergency manual to ensure that procedures are in place to successfully respond to and shut off gas to PMVs during high-water conditions, (49 CFR 192.605). Accordingly, because RSPA has addressed the intent of the Board's recommendation, as requested, Safety Recommendation P-00-14 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2001-07-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 07/12/2001 5:19:19 PM MC# 2010573 The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) agrees with the NTSB's recommendation. RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety has published an Advisory Notice in the Federal Register (see attached) to remind gas distribution pipeline operators of the potential dangers associated with the difficulty in locating and operating valves that are submerged during high-water conditions. The Federal pipeline safety regulations require that "each service line must have a shut-off valve in a readily accessible location ." (49 CFR 192.365(b)). This means that the line shut-off must be operable under all reasonably anticipated conditions. For a PMV a reasonably anticipated condition includes high-water and flooding. In the Notice, RSPA advises owners and operators to examine the accessibility during a high-water event of the shut-off valves on lines serving PMVs RSPA advises operators to either locate gas service line valves where they will not be affected by flooding or to install equipment, such as extra height operators or valve key guides that will allow service valves to be readily located and operated. In addition, operators are urged to review their operations and maintenance manual and their emergency manual to ensure that procedures are in place to successfully respond to and shut off gas to PMVs during high-water conditions (49 CFR 192.605). In view of the fact that RSPA has published an advisory notice, we ask that Safety Recommendation P-00- 14 be classified as "Closed - Acceptable Response."