NTSB Safety Recommendation P-90-036

NTSB safety recommendation P-90-036.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE: ASSIST THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION WITH THE EVALUATION OF THE NEED FOR EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COORDINATION BETWEEN OFFSHORE PIPELINE OPERATORS AND PRODUCERS, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF APPROPRIATE SAFETY REGULATIONS.

Priority: CLASS III

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 signifant 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: A companion recommendation, Safety Recommendation P-90-31, was also issued to RSPA. While the Safety Board has not received recent information from MMS on this issue, RSPA responded on July 1, 1998. On June 18, 1999, based on information provided in RSPA's 1998 letter, the Safety Board classified Safety Recommendation P-90-31 "Closed--Acceptable Action," noting that RSPA and MMS, after evaluating response plans dealing with spill planning and spill response, implemented a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was published in the Federal Register on March 16, 1998 (63 FR 12659). The MOU has reduced overlap in spill response and responsibilities. Further, RSPA issued an advisory bulletin on April 5, 1994, regarding the need for emergency planning and coordination between offshore pipeline operators and procedures. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-90-36 is also classified "Closed--Acceptable Action." The MMS is to be commended for its participation in these activities with RSPA, USACE, and the Coast Guard to improve pipeline safety.