NTSB Safety Recommendation P-90-028

NTSB safety recommendation P-90-028.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: PROVIDE ADEQUATE STAFFING AND OTHER RESOURCES TO THE OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY SO THAT IT CAN EFFECTIVELY FULFILL ITS REGULATORY, INSPECTION, ENFORCEMENT, AND STATE PROGRAM OVER SIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES. (Supersedes P-87-028, P-88-013, and P-90-013)

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1990-10-01

Adopted Date: 1990-09-11

Overall Date Closed: 1991-06-10

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 3, 1989, THE UNITED STATES FISHING VESSEL NORTHUMBERLAND STRUCK AND RUPTURED A 16-INCH-DIAMETER NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE ABOUT 1/2 NAUTICAL MILE OFFSHORE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND ABOUT 5 1/3 NAUTICAL MILES WEST OF THE JETTIES AT THE ENTRANCE TO SABINE PASS, TEXAS. NATURAL GAS UNDER A PRESSURE OF 835 PSIG 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 ITSELF OUT ON OCTOBER4. LEAKING GAS FROM THE PIPELINE ALSO CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL OCTOBER 4. OF THE 14 CREW MEMBERS, 11 DIED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.

Ntsbnumber: DCA90MM001

Report Number: PAR-90-02

Addressee Name: DOT

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1991-06-10

Addressee Acronym: DOT

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1991-02-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE DEPARTMENT HAS SOUGHT, AND THE OMB AND THE CONGRESS HAVE SUPPORTED, INCREASES IN STAFFING AND FUNDING IN EACH OF THE LAST TWO FISCAL YEARS. THESE RESOURCES ARE BEING DEPLOYED TO SUPPORT THE RISK-BASED INSPECTION PLAN I SENT TO CONGRESS LAST YEAR, TO REDUCE THE REGULATORY BACKLOG--PARTICULARLY TO MEET SEVERAL CONGRESSIONAL MANDATES, AND TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL ABILITY OF THE PROGRAM TO SET AN APPROPRIATE SAFETY AGENDA. FOR EXAMPLE, RSPA WILL BE INCREASING THE STAFF OF THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL OFFICE IN HOUSTON TO INCREASE THE OVERSIGHT OF OFFSHORE PIPELINE OPERATIONS, AN ACTION NECESSARY TO RESPOND TO RECENT LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE HAZARDS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ARISING FROM THE COEXISTENCE OF VESSEL AND PIPELINE OPERATIONS.

Addressee Acronym: DOT

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1991-06-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence