Documented procedures under Emergency preparedness- Main engine failure

1. Documented procedures under Emergency preparedness- Main engine failure
Main Engine Failure
This is a very dangerous situation as it results in immobilisation of the vessel.
It is further dangerous if the vessel is under maneuvering or in restricted
area or facing a rough weather.
It can be divided into various categories which forms emergencies such
as Scavange fire, Uptake fire, crankcase explosion, Automation failure etc
Immediate Action -
1. Duty engineer/ Duty officer should take necessary steps to stop the
engine if not engineer already stopped. should Duty officer should
observe traffic situation whereas duty engineer prepare systems for
stoppage. i.e firing of boiler, starting additional Aux Engine

2. 2. Inform Chief Engineer and Master about stoppage and sound Engineer's
alarm Events must be logged and damage contained to the minimum.
Follow up Action
These will be done by two man teams .The Chief Engineer will lead Engine
Room team whereas Master will lead Bridge team.
Bridge Response
 Inform Duty Engineer if not alerted by Engineer’s Alarm system.
 Call Master and Chief Engineer.
 Appraise prevalent navigational situation and take any necessary action to
improve safety margins.
 Check own vessel’s position, check for local dangers and assess risk.
 Hand over the Engine Control to Engine room as requested.
 Engage Hand Steering and start second steering motor. Maintain original
course or alter towards navigational safety. As the speed reduces, ensure that

3. the helmsman is using sufficient helm to maintain course - once the ships head
starts to drift it may not be possible to restore desired course.
 Depending on the navigational situation, it might be necessary to:
1. ¬ Transmit a Security Message on VHF DSC and VHF Ch 16.
1. ¬ Display necessary shapes/lights /sound signals as required
2. ¬ Post additional look outs
3. ¬ Call for Emergency Anchor stations and head for Emergency anchorage
if needed.
4. ¬ Advice relevant authorities if in coastal/port waters.
5. ¬ Log down events in the Deck log book.

4. Engine Room team
1. Ascertain the cause of stoppage or failure of ME, by studying the order in
which alarms are received; feed backs from duty engineer etc.
2. Stop leakage of oil /water if generated during the incident.
3. Commence damage assessment and arrive to logical estimate of time
of stoppage.
4. Communicate the stoppage duration to Master and Bridge team to enable
them to decide the safe place for anchoring.
5. Ascertain whether spares are available on board to carryout repairs
necessary either of temporary or permanent nature and also whetherthey
can be carried out by ship staff .
6. Carryout repairs with prior information to bridge & Master and with
proper consideration to safety & pollution aspect.
7. Retain damaged parts on board for further investigation if required .

5. Incident Reporting :-Once the repairs have been successfully carried
out. a detailed report should be prepared in the appropriate format of the
Company
This will include but not limited to the following:
1. Time & date of incident
2. Exact position of ship, distance from nearest land, port etc
3. Details of damaged machinery, extent of damage.
4. Cause of damage in CE's opinion
5. Repair adopted, details of repairs done if they are not done as methods
per maker's instructions.
6. If further shore assistance is required
7. whether the vessel is able to proceed with normal speed or reduced speed
either to next port of call or port of refuge

6. 8. Any further investigation to be done or further analysis to be carried out
to investigate in more detail, the causes of stoppage