NTSB Safety Recommendation P-90-033

NTSB safety recommendation P-90-033.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE U.S. COAST GUARD: ASSIST THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PERMANENT MEASURES TO INCREASE THE COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AND AMONG FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATORY AGENCIES, AND THE PIPELINE, FISHING, AND MARINE INDUSTRIES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1990-10-01

Adopted Date: 1990-09-11

Overall Date Closed: 2001-07-23

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 OCTOBER 4. 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: USCG

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2001-07-23

Addressee Acronym: USCG

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2001-07-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Safety Recommendation P-90-33 to the Coast Guard is a companion recommendation to P-90-30, which was issued to RSPA. On March 8, 1993, responding to RSPA's letter of August 31, 1992, the Safety Board wrote "The Board notes that the OPS [Office of Pipeline Safety] has met regularly with the MMS [Minerals Management Service], the USCG [U.S. Coast Guard], and other organizations to discuss pipeline safety matters and plans to continue attending USCG advisory committee meetings and Regional Response Team meetings." Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-90-30 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action." Because the Coast Guard worked with RSPA as requested, and given that Safety Recommendation P-90-30 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action," Safety Recommendation P-90-33 is also classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: USCG

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2001-04-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 04/12/2001 5:43:54 PM MC# 2010319 P-90-33 to the USCG is a companion recommendation to the RSPA recommendation P-90-30, which was classified "Closed--Acceptable Action," on April 9, 1992, based on information provided in the RSPA letter of August 31, 1992. In responding to RSPA, the Board wrote..."The Board notes that the OPS has met regularly with the MMS, the USCG, and other organizations to discuss pipeline safety matters and plans to continue attending USCG advisory committee meetings and Regional Response Team meetings. Based on this information, P-90-30 has been classified "Closed--Acceptable Action." Because the Coast Guard worked with RSPA as requested, and given that the RSPA recommendation (P-90-30) has been closed, I recommend that P-90-33 to the Coast Guard also be classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: USCG

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1991-05-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE JOINT TASK FORCE ON OFFSHORE PIPELINES, CHAIRED BY RSPA'S OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY, CONCLUDED THAT GREATER COORDINATION AND CONTINUED DIALOGUE WAS NEEDED AMONG REGULATORY AGENCIES & INDUSTRY REGARDING OFFSHORE PIPELINE SAFETY. COAST GUARD REPRESENTATIVE TO THE JOINT TASK FORCE EXTENDED AN OFFER OF ASSISTANCE & COOPERATION TO RSPA IN SUPPORT OF MEASURES TO CONTINUE THE EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION AMONG FEDERAL, STATE, & INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT THE TASK FORCE SESSIONS.

Addressee Acronym: USCG

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1991-10-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence