NTSB Safety Recommendation P-90-035

NTSB safety recommendation P-90-035.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE: 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: 2002-03-25

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: United States Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2002-03-25

Addressee Acronym: MMS

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1990-10-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: MMS continues to play a significant role in these efforts even though the pipelines in the more hazardous areas fall outside MMS's area of jurisdiction. Since RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety is taking the lead in all these actions, it is appropriate that OPS keeps you appraised concerning the progress of these efforts.

Addressee Acronym: MMS

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2002-03-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: While the Safety Board has not received recent information from MMS on this issue, RSPA provided a comprehensive response on August 31, 1992. On March 8, 1993, based on information provided in RSPA's letter, the Safety Board classified Safety Recommendation P-90-30 "Closed--Acceptable Action," noting that RSPA had met regularly with the MMS, USACE, and the Coast Guard to discuss pipeline safety matters and planned to continue to attend Coast Guard advisory committee meetings and regional response team meetings. Because MMS participates in this project, Safety Recommendation P-90-35 is also classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."