Main bearing damage on a laden tanker in mid-ocean
An 0.2 mm thick notch wire from a main lube oil filter candle immobilized a 105,000 DWT laden tanker in mid-ocean. Fragments of the notch wire circulated in the entire lube oil system of the main engine causing serious damage to one of the main journals, its bearing shells and bearing pocket, as well as scratching almost all sliding surfaces where lube oil circulates.
LevMar attended the transshipment and repairs on behalf of H&M Underwriters which were time consuming and costly as required dismantling and examination of all the running gear to avoid any unpleasant surprises after engine operation.
In situ machining of the main engine’s main journal and corresponding bearing cap was performed by maker’s engineers to ensure the restoration of the engine’s functionality and integrity.