Lifeboat Battery Explosion

Following the charging and completion of voltage checks, the battery compartment hatch was closed, and the engine was then started. At this point the battery exploded. Pieces of the battery and fluid were expelled from the compartment having been partially restricted by the closed hatch lid.

Neither technician was injured by the blast nor exposed to the released battery acid.

The lifeboat itself was undamaged.

Investigation found that the battery installed was a wet cell lead / acid type, described by its manufacturer as ‘maintenance free’ although could be topped up with distilled water. The model of battery was noted as not suitable for ‘installation inside the vehicle’.

The battery had been overcharged weekly, at voltages between 14-15V over the past 12 months by various technicians. Maximum charge voltage should have been 13.8V. No other lifeboat batteries had been overcharged during this time.

Supporting work order text was conflicting in guidance given regarding charging voltage levels required.

Overcharging caused a depletion of electrolyte within the battery and generation of an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas. An internal electrical fault allowed for the ignition of this mixture upon start up.