NTSB Safety Recommendation P-90-005

NTSB safety recommendation P-90-005.

TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: Determine, with the assistance of the Department of the Interior, effective methods of inspection, maintenance, and protection for offshore pipelines located in the Gulf of Mexico to depths of water comparable to the maximum drafts of marine vessels that may operate outside of established sea lanes. (Superseded by Safety Recommendation P-90-029)

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Superseded

Issued Date: 1990-02-22

Adopted Date: 1990-02-21

Overall Date Closed: 1990-10-02

Synopsis: ABOUT 5:50 P.M. CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME OCTOBER 3, 1989, THE UNITED STATES MENHADEN FISHING VESSEL NORTHUMBERLAND, OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE ZAPATA HAYNIE CORPORATION (VESSEL OWNER), WAS BACKING AND MANEUVERING IN 9 TO 11 FEET OR WATER WHEN THE STERN OF THE VESSEL STRUCK AND REPTURED AN OFFSHORE 16-INCH NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE OWNED BY NATURAL GAS PIPELINE COMPANY OF AMERICA (PIPELINE COMPANY). NATURAL GAS UNDER 835 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH PRESSURE WAS RELEASED. AN UNDETERMINED SOURCE ON BOARD THE VESSEL IGNITED THE GAS, AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENTIRE VESSEL WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE ON THE VESSEL BURNED UNTIL 4:30 A.M. ON OCTOBER 4, WHEN IT BURNED ITSELF OUT. LEAKING GAS FROM THE PIPELINE ALSO CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL THE FLOW OF GAS SUBSIDED AND THE FIRE SELF-EXTINGUISED ABOUT 6 A.M. ON OCTOBER 4. ELEVEN OF FOURTEEN CREW MEMBERS DIED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VESSEL WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1/2 MILE OFFSHORE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO (GULF) AND ABOUT 5 1/3 NAUTICAL MILES WEST OF THE JETTIES AT THE ENTRANCE TO SABINE PASS, TEXAS.

Ntsbnumber: DCA90MM001

Report Number: PAR-90-02

Addressee Name: DOT

Addressee Status: Closed - Superseded

Addressee Date Closed: 1990-10-02

Addressee Acronym: DOT

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1990-05-11

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The National Transportation Safety Board is reviewing its safety recommendation files to identify those recommendations on which there has been no correspondence for an extended time. On February 22, 1990, the Safety Board issued Safety Recommendations P-90-3 through -5 to the Department of Transportation (DOT) concerning submerged offshore pipelines. Safety Recommendations P-90-3 and -4 requested urgent action from your office. Our records show, however, that we have not received a response from the DOT regarding the recommended action. We would appreciate being informed as to what efforts were made or are being made to implement these recommendations especially P-90-3 and -4. The Safety Board's letter transmitting these recommendations is enclosed for your information.Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. We look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Addressee Acronym: DOT

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1990-05-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE PURPOSE OF THE TASK FORCE IS TO (1) GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MUCH WE DO AND DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RISKS POSED IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BY THE COEXISTENCE OF PIPELINES AND VESSEL OPERATIONS; (2) DETERMINE THE ADEQUACY OF THE OFFSHORE PIPELINE INVENTORY (E.G., THE ADEQUACY OF MAPS AND CHARTS); AND (3) IDENTIFY THE POSSIBLE NEAR-TERM AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD PURSUE TO INSPECT, MAINTAIN, AND PROTECT OFFSHORE PIPELINES LOCATED IN THE GULF OF MEXICO TO DEPTHS OF WATER COMPARABLE TO THE MAXIMUM DRAFTS OF MARINE VESSELS THAT MAY OPERATE OUTSIDE OF ESTABLISHED SEA LANES. THE TASK FORCE IS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE THIS WORK IN LATE SUMMER 1990, AND WE WILL PROVIDE THE BOARD A REPORT AT THAT TIME.

Addressee Acronym: DOT

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1990-10-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence