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Emergency Contingency Procedures
ECP
ME & SG Breakdown
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Doc No.: ECP 05-02
Revision: 01
Date: 15 Oct 2024
Issued by: DPA
Approved by: MD
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5.2. MAIN ENGINE & STEERING GEAR BREAKDOWN
(a) Engine breakdown, blackout or steering failure in open sea may not cause immediate danger to life or ship. However, such incidents in areas of heavy traffic, narrow channels, or during port approaches may lead to serious consequences such as collision or grounding. Hence, it is important that drills for such emergencies are carried out for heavy traffic areas or narrow channels.
(b) If such breakdown occurs in a heavy traffic area, narrow channel, or an area with a strong current, it is important to anchor the ship at a place as far away as possible from the fairway in order to avoid dangerous situations.
(c) In all such emergencies, stopping of engines/reduction of speed should be ordered and in case of telegraph failure, orders should be passed by telephone or other alternative communication equipment e.g., sound-powered telephone.
5.2.1. Initial action by the Navigational officer
| Employ rudder to best advantage |
| Sound emergency alarm and announce on P.A system
“Steering Failure or Engine Breakdown”
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| Display “NUC” shapes or lights |
| Monitor ship’s position continuously |
| Record the fact in the bell book/memo, as much as possible |
5.2.2. Measures by the Master
| Sr.No. |
Action |
Y/N |
| 1. |
Introduce organized Steering Failure / Main Engine breaks down contingencies. |
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| 2. |
Crew to muster as per Steering Failure/ Engine Breakdown muster list ECP-03-00E. |
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| 3. |
Emergency Steering to be tried out in case of steering failure. |
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| 4. |
Make analysis of situations w.r.t tide, current and weather conditions. Prepare for anchoring, if required. |
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| 5. |
Ensure Lifeboat is ready, if required. |
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| 6. |
Alert nearby shipping by urgency or distress message as per the prevailing conditions. |
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| 7. |
Inform company soonest and also nearest coastal authority if required. |
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5.2.3. Follow up
(a) Once the emergency is over and vessel situation is stabilized, all parties should be informed immediately who were notified initially, including coast radio station & nearby shipping.
(b) Once it is ascertained that repair to engine or steering gear is not possible on board, the master should seek advice from the company for towage.
(c) The company will generally consult with the insurance company before sending a tugboat of suitable horsepower and tonnage from the nearest port for towing operation.
5.2.4. BLACKOUT / ELECTRICITY FAILURE
5.2.4.1. Initial action by the navigational officer
| Sound emergency alarm and announce on P.A system
“Steering Failure or Engine Breakdown” |
| Display “NUC” shapes or lights |
| Warn shipping through VHF channel 16 |
| Employ rudder to best advantage, if power available |
| In an extreme case that no power is available for “NUC” lights, and vessel is in heavy traffic area during the darkness, consider using Pyrotechnics for alerting the entire shipping close by |
| Monitor ship’s position continuously |
| Record the fact in the bell book/memo, as much as possible |
5.2.4.2. Measures by the Master
| Sr.No. |
Action |
Y/N |
| 1. |
Introduce organized Blackout/ Electrical failure contingencies same as for Steering Failure / Main Engine breakdown as the engine shall not respond. Steering may also not respond in case Emergency generator fails too. |
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| 2. |
Crew to muster as per Steering Failure/ Engine Breakdown muster list ECP-03-00E |
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| 3. |
Use magnetic Compass for position fixing. |
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| 4. |
Make analysis of situations w.r.t tide, current and weather conditions. Prepare for anchoring, if required to prevent close quarter situations and possible. |
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| 5. |
Ensure Lifeboat is ready, if required. |
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| 6. |
Try to get battery-operated equipment/ machinery working soonest. |
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| 7. |
Try to get emergency generator working as soon as possible. |
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| 8. |
Inform company soonest and also nearest coastal authority if required. |
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5.2.4.3. Follow up
(a) Once the emergency is over and vessel situation is stabilized, all parties should be informed immediately who were notified initially, including coast radio station & nearby shipping.
(b) Equipment like Gyrocompass, GPS, ECDIS, Computer and Satellite Communication system, Navtex receiver and other radio equipment should be checked, re-set, and continuously monitored till they become stable and reliable.
(c) In case of any damage or suspicion of damage, consider lodging a note of protest with the harbor master in the next port.