Poor battery maintenance leads to explosion

[soin2la]

I suppose this should go in the safety slot, but would likely go dead there.

The media version:
https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/...portance-of-battery-maintenance-tsb-1.5802914

The TSB official version:
https://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/marine/2022/m20p0230-20220302.html

 

[TBill36]

Unfortunately, it looks like the powers that be want to focus on maintenance only. There's potentially something else going on also with a charger, inverter, converter, and whatever else is in their battery system. It's easy to focus on maintenance as being the root cause.

 

[rslifkin]

Unfortunately, it looks like the powers that be want to focus on maintenance only. There's potentially something else going on also with a charger, inverter, converter, and whatever else is in their battery system. It's easy to focus on maintenance as being the root cause.

One could argue that failing to notice an overcharging issue is still a lack of maintenance.

 

[twistedtree]

One could argue that failing to notice an overcharging issue is still a lack of maintenance.

And the TSB report talks about a management plan and not so much about maintenance. Bottom line is that it was a sub standard build with no ventilation of the batteries, and neglected operation and maintenance.

Also noteworthy is that it’s “under 15 GT”, which is a tiny tug. I don’t know what the CN regs and cutoffs are, but that’s a pretty small boat for a commercial tug. But you do see a lot of them rounding up log booms, etc.

 

[soin2la]

Under 15GT is pretty much unregulated, or at east uninspeted and operators, like architects are expected to actually inspect what they sign off on.

Fortunately in this case there was not a subsequent fire, as the Western Carrier, is a 120 foot fuel barge.

The lack of good management in the small tow boat industry is just like the dog eat dog trucking industry and one where if you want to keep your job, it's eyes and ears open, mouth shut.

Part way down the page there is a previous, (typical) survey and one which probaly was just not followed up on by anyone. The insurer has a built in escape hatch.

Marine Transportation Safety Investigation Report M20P0230 - Transportation Safety Board of Canada