Contingency Planning


	Emergency Contingency Procedures ECP Contingency Planning	Doc No.: ECP 03-00 Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD

3.1 CONTINGENCY PLANS

Contingency Plans should be prepared as per the guidelines of this manual. The contingency planning given herein for each of the emergencies is general in nature and should be reviewed in relation to each ship. The contingency plan, and its aspects should be discussed in safety meetings regularly.

3.2 MUSTER STATION

(a) The Muster Station shall be located in a space, which is unlikely to be cut off by fire or smoke and affords reasonable access to Upper Deck, Engine Room and Accommodation. Such space should contain sufficient equipment to enable the emergency teams to proceed and tackle the emergency.

(b) The Master should describe the muster station in the muster list. In principle, the muster station for the team on-scene is the Starboard side Boat deck in an emergency situation except the fire station. The fire station for the team on-scene is the starboard side upper deck. For Abandon ship, it shall be the Respective Boat deck station Port & Stbd side. Muster station for Freefall L/Boat & Rescue Boat shall be at Freefall L/Boat and Rescue boat deck respectively. However, the Master can decide on a muster station, which is different from the above station in consideration of the structure of the ship, fire hazard or Toxic Gases. In this case, the Master should document & instruct all hands where the muster station is.

3.3 ALARM SIGNALS

In an emergency, the Master should sound the following signals to muster the crew at the muster station specified in the muster list:

(a) General Emergency Alarm Signal: 7 (seven) or more short & 1 (one) long blast with Announcement (at least 3 times)
(b) Manual Fire Alarm Signal: Same as above “General Emergency Alarm”
(c) Automatic Fire Alarm Signal: Ship specific, ringing for a period of at least 10 seconds
(d) Abandon Ship signal: Announcement (Abandon Ship) and/or 1 (one) long blast during Abandon ship Station

"Abandon ship" order shall only be given verbally by the Master or the senior most officers present.

3.4 MUSTER LISTS

(a) Standard Muster List: The muster list shall be prepared using the forms/appendices attached to this section as practical. However, in case the said form is not suiting the ship, the Master can rearrange it or make a new muster list. In such case, the master should send a copy to the company by email. However, requirements as specified in Ch III of SOLAS regarding Muster List shall always be complied with.

(b) Display and updating of Muster Lists:

The Master shall post the muster list at least on the Bridge, E.C.R., each main passage and other conspicuous places as required.
Muster lists shall be suitably amended when necessary. Assignment of duties shall normally be made by designation, e.g. Chief Officer, 3rd Engineer, Deck Rating 1, Deck Rating II, etc. as per crew list. This will help avoid the necessity of changing muster lists frequently when individual crewmembers sign off/on.

When the General Emergency Alarm is sounded, all crew members except the duty hands on the bridge should take the following action and prepare for the next announcement about the kind of emergency and station.

Carry a helmet, life jacket, immersion suits with suitably dressed and articles described in the muster list, immediately.
Assemble at the muster station described in the muster list as soon as possible.
Secure a mean of communication and confirm with the Bridge.
Call the roll and report to the Bridge.
Supernumeraries & Visitors to proceed to Bridge Wing (Shore/Quay side) with their L/Jackets and Immersion suits and await further orders upon hearing any of Emergency Alarm/Abandon ship alarm.

The master should announce the nature of emergency/station after sounding the alarm. After the master announces the station, each person should take the necessary action.

(d) Sample Muster Lists:

ECP-03-00A Boat Station Muster List (Port/Stbd Lifeboat)
ECP-03-00B Fire Station Muster List
ECP-03-00C Flood Prevention (Collision) Station Muster List
ECP-03-00D Rescue Boat (Man Overboard/Rescue of Persons from Water) Station Muster List
ECP-03-00E Steering Failure/Engine Breakdown Muster List
ECP-03-00F Oil/Chemical Pollution Muster List
ECP-03-00G Enclosed Space Entry and Rescue Muster List
ECP-03-00H Boat Station Muster List (Free Fall Lifeboat)

3.5 FUNCTIONS

3.5.1 Rescue Duty of the Master

The Master is responsible for handling matters concerning the safety at sea, prevention of loss of life, damage to the marine environment and to the ship.
While encountering an accident, the Master shall instruct the crew as to the best means of clearing with it and must take necessary action calmly and quickly for saving Life, the Ship, the Cargo and the Environment.

3.5.2 Priority of the Master’s Actions

The Master is responsible to quickly (as practical) report an emergency to the Company so that the Company can respond immediately.
The safety of life should be given the highest priority, with the following considered:

Identification of casualties;
Judgment on the necessity of a rescue request;
Decision on the abandonment of the ship.

3.5.3 Command

The control of all actions in an emergency lies with the Master who shall supervise the overall operation from the bridge. A deck officer and a helmsman shall assist the Master on the bridge. If the bridge is inaccessible an alternate command position such as Ship’s office or Cargo Control Room should be established.
In case of external assistance/salvage operation the command of the vessel remains with master, who shall act in the best interest of the ship and his judgement.

3.5.4 Rescue Duty of Crew

The crew shall comply with the company's rules and regulations about their duty, be acquainted with the layout and relevant equipment of the ship and make an effort towards prevention of casualties.

3.5.5 Abandon Ship

The Master shall issue an abandon ship order after completely ensuring that there is no means to save the ship and must ensure all persons onboard leave the ship. The safety of life is to be the utmost priority and abandoning must be timed carefully and accurately.

3.5.6 Obedience and Discipline

When encountering an accident/casualty, the crew shall follow guidelines and instructions, act coolly, quickly and must not leave his station unless permitted by the Master.

3.5.7 Strict Observance of Secrecy

The Master and crew must not discuss the accident or disclose any information to a third party which is not authorized or approved by the company. Especially hearsay/rumors of false information must be avoided.

3.5.8 Communication & Record Keeping

During an emergency, a qualified GMDSS certificate holding officer shall man the GMDSS station and maintain a chronological record of all events. Company’s standard reporting procedures to be used as described in chapter 9.0 of these Procedures.

3.6 RECOVERY PROCEDURES FOLLOWING ANY INCIDENT

Recovery is about assisting the people, environments, properties, and businesses affected by an emergency to return to a proper and effective level of functioning after any incident. In few countries there are legal requirements for this process, while others leave this process to the individual organization/Incident Management Team. It’s very important to understand the legal framework that the team is working within.
Shipboard emergency procedures contain detailed contingency procedures for various emergency situations, which contain response actions to be taken to regain control of the situation.
The company will engage with regulatory bodies to ensure the vessel is fully classed prior to resuming voyage, where required.
Planning for recovery should commence as early as possible and may in fact influence incident response tactics to aid effective recovery.
Exactly what recovery services and support is required will be dependent upon the circumstances and should be determined through the specific procedures and checklists provided with each kind of emergency in the SQEMS.
Recovery operations can be complex and involve many areas of the organization.
In significant emergencies, cooperation and coordination with other government, non-government or community organizations will also be required as practiced during the drill in office.