Vigilance by shore staff is key to reducing engine-damage claims

IN the engineer's workshop on my first ship, there was an interesting collection of metal fragments - parts of blades from the high-pressure turbine of the main engine. On a previous voyage, something had gone dramatically wrong and the turbine had disintegrated, bursting out of its casing and exploding into the engine room. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Questions about why this had occurred were not welcome - especially from a 16-year-old deck cadet - but I got the impression human error had played a part.

Engine-room damage caused by human error, not a new phenomenon, apparently continues to be a headache for marine insurers. A new report from marine mutual insurer The Swedish Club said that incorrect maintenance and repair continues to be the most frequent cause of main-engine damage.