Boiler burner inspection and operational safety recommendations
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a safety alert following an investigation into a serious engine-room fire following a boiler burner inspection aboard a cargo ship in the Port of Mobile, Alabama. On January 4, 2025, while moored in the Port of Mobile, Alabama, a foreign-flagged cargo vessel equipped with a SAACKE Monoblock Rotary Cup Burner SKVJ-M 14 Mark I burner system on a marine boiler experienced a significant engine room fire.
The incident began with a high-pressure fuel leak from the oil fittings block, which caused atomized marine diesel oil to ignite on the hot surface of a nearby auxiliary generator exhaust stack. The fire rapidly spread from the boiler flat through two upper deck levels, resulting in extensive structural and equipment damage, though no personnel were injured.
The subsequent marine casualty investigation identified critical mechanical and control system failures related to the burner’s fuel system.
The vessel’s fixed water mist fire suppression system actuated automatically but was unable to control the fire, which was ultimately extinguished by manual activation of the engine room’s fixed carbon dioxide (CO₂) suppression system.
The Coast Guard investigation revealed two primary causal factors:
- Seal Failure: During assembly of the oil fittings block, an O-ring intended to seal the high-pressure fuel interface between the oil flow meter and the oil fittings block was improperly seated, resulting in a pinched seal. This improper installation compromised the seal’s integrity, leading to material failure over time and the eventual high-pressure release of fuel.
- Control System Misconfiguration: A software configuration error was identified in the burner control system. Following a normal shutdown sequence, the external marine gas oil (MGO) fuel supply pumps feeding the burner unit were not de-energized. This failure to secure the fuel pumps kept the fuel lines pressurized up to the burner’s internal rapid shut-off valves. The residual high pressure was a significant contributing factor to the volume and velocity of the MGO fuel released when the O-ring failed.
A subsequent investigation by the vessel’s parent company identified identical risks of improper O-ring installation and software misconfiguration on several sister vessels utilizing the same burner model.
The Coast Guard strongly recommends that vessel operators utilizing the SAACKE Monoblock Rotary Cup Burner SKVJ-M 14 Mark I implement the following safety measures:
Oil fittings block integrity
- Conduct periodic visual inspections of the burner’s oil fittings block assembly for any signs of fuel leakage, with particular attention to the oil flow meter and associated seals.
O-rings and seals should be replaced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer and in accordance with approved procedures.
Fuel pump and control system verification
- Verify that the fuel supply shutdown sequence functions correctly while operating in marine gas oil (MGO) mode, ensuring fuel pumps are de-energized when the burner completes its shutdown cycle.
- Review, validate, and maintain the burner control system software and configuration to ensure full compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications and safety interlocks.
- Maintain comprehensive records of all software modifications and ensure these records are readily available to support maintenance activities and troubleshooting efforts.
