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OCC satisfied with changes of steam system after fatal accident
Holland America Line has re-examined the steam systems of its entire fleet following the fatal accident, which had occurred aboard the 'Nieuw Amsterdam' on March 22, 2024. The systems on two of the company's ships have since been modified. Crews were also receiving increased attention to the risks of steam hammer. This beacme evident from a follow-up by the Dutch Safety Board (OVV). The board had investigated the accident in which two crew members lost their lives, while the ship was docked at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. In a space in the engine room, an expansion joint of the main steam line had ruptured. As a result, hot steam was released. The space filled with steam exceeding 100 degrees Celsius within 86 seconds. The two crew members were unable to reach the exits and died from exposure to the hot steam. The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) therefore recommended, among other things, that procedures and training for working with steam systems be adjusted. The Holland America Line has followed this recommendation. The shipping company has critically reviewed the steam systems of all its ships and modified two systems based on this. Measures have also been taken to better raise awareness among crews regarding the risks of steam hammer. The OCC expressed satisfaction with the activities being undertaken to improve safety. The OVV has brought the report and recommendations to the attention of the sector. The Royal Netherlands Shipowners Association (KVNR) and Maritime & Offshore NL have distributed the report to their members. This was intended to help with the safer construction, design, management, and maintenance of steam systems. The Board also intended to incorporate the risks into the international education and training of seafarers. To this end, the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) must be amended.
Investigation report showed that crew was unaware of risks of steam
The Norwegian Maritime Authority wants crew working in the engine room of a cruise ship to be trained in the use of steam systems, based on an investigation report of the Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid (OVV) into the explosion in the engine room of the 'Nieuw Amsterdam' on March 22, 2024, in which two crew members died, when an expansion joint in a main steam line ruptured. The engine room was filled with steam exceeding 100°C within 86 seconds. Inhaling the hot steam affected their lung function, with fatal consequences. The system was never completely shut down, even when not in use. This situation was not considered in the original design, nor in subsequent modifications. The crew as a whole was unaware of the need to keep the steam line cooling valves open. The Dutch Safety Board investigation revealed a discrepancy between the system's design and its actual use. The crew was not trained or educated about the origins and hazards. The authority will therefore investigate whether they can provide training to engine room personnel on cruise ships. There were many lessons to be learned from the way seafarers apply their experience and knowledge. The gap between design and practice must be closed. Moreover, the authority pointed out that not all accidents can be prevented, as working procedures, risk analyses, and training materials do not always fully reflect the reality on board. The shipping company's current internal training courses on the steam system were , incidentally, fully in line with international laws and regulations. These laws and regulations should pay more attention to the risk of steam hammer in a steam system, for safer working methods, the researchers stated in their conclusion. The Dutch Safety Board recommendeds that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management request the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to amend the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), so that the risks of steam systems are addressed in crew training.
Cruise ship had fire on board
The High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia was informed on March 5, 2026, at 5:50 a.m. about a fire aboard the 'Nieuws Amsterdam', which was carrying 2,866 people, while it was sailing approximately one hour off the coast of Moorea. The JRCC Tahiti and the Crisis Management Team (EGC) were mobilised following the activation of the maritime emergency response plan (ORSEC). The High Commission's command post was activated under the authority of the High Commissioner of the Republic to organise the response in conjunction with the crew and coordinate all operations. In order to carry out all necessary checks to ensure the safety of the ship, passengers, and crew, a Dauphin helicopter was deployed to deploy a four-person assessment and intervention team on board. This assessment has eliminated any doubts regarding the fire, confirming with thermal imaging that no hot spots remained on the vessel, that all passengers and crew members were unharmed and safe, and that the was is capable of safely continuing its voyage to the port of Papeete.
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