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Emergency Contingency Procedures ECP Abandonment |
Doc No.: ECP 05-08
Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD |
5.8. ABANDONMENT
(a) Following should be considered while deciding to abandon the ship:
- The current circumstances like wreckage, submerging or foundering of vessel;
- Buoyancy characteristics and loss of stability of the vessel;
- How the situation is expected to develop?
- What are the possibilities of influencing the development in a positive manner?
- What are the consequences if one does not manage to influence the development to a sufficient extent?
(b) Actions must be concentrated towards the ultimately desired result - Saving lives.
(c) The decision to evacuate when and in which way shall take place according to direct orders from the Master or the next senior most officer, in case the Master is incapacitated.
5.8.1. Distress Message and Communication
(a) If no earlier notification has been given about the difficulties encountered, it is necessary to send a distress signal and a distress message.
(b) Company and Charterers are to be kept informed of the situations and decision to abandon the ship, if possible.
5.8.2. Abandonment with Own Craft
(a) In an acute situation
- When the signal preparation for abandonment is given, clear orders must be given regarding which lifeboat to be used.
- It may be difficult to organize search parties for missing persons. Missing persons may be deceased, badly injured, fallen overboard, or may be participating in casualty abatement on their own initiative. Try to find out where missing persons were last seen, possibilities and time available for searching, and the probability that they may still be alive.
(b) In a precarious situation
- If time permits, it may be better not to use the lifeboat alarm, but gather the complement and inform about the situation, plans for abandonment (like whether to use one or more lifeboats etc.) and, if it is known, that help is underway.
- Even if the situation is such that abandonment may be achieved by other means, preparations for abandonment with own lifeboats must be carried out.
- If there is a possibility that the ship may remain afloat, it must be decided if any machinery shall be kept running when the ship is abandoned for the purpose of pumps, light, emergency transmissions, etc.
- If it is decided to abandon the ship and await further development from the lifeboats, preparations must be made so that re-boarding the vessel is possible, if the risk of sinking diminishes.
5.8.3. Abandonment with Rescue Helicopter
(a) Only under especially favorable conditions may some types of helicopters land on the sea.
(b) Very favorable conditions are also required if the helicopter shall land on the vessel or come in at an altitude so low that survivors may enter directly.
(c) If possible, the crew should be instructed before arrival of the helicopter and tasks allocated. Communication with the helicopter should be established.
5.8.4. Precautions after Abandonment
(a) If more than one lifeboat is used for abandonment, they should be kept together with a painter. If any of the complement is missing, lookout should be maintained from as many places as possible. Equipment for rescue should be made ready.
(b) SART and GMDSS walkie-talkies should be kept in continuous operation.
(c) Use of emergency signaling equipment (pyrotechnics) should be considered in relation to visibility, distance to shore, the vicinity of ship routes, if assistance is underway or a search action is in process.
5.8.5. ABANDON SHIP - A Quick Check
| Immediate | Pending | After |
|---|---|---|
| SEND DISTRESS SIGNAL | SEND DISTRESS SIGNAL, NOTIFY COMPANY, IF POSSIBLE | ACTIVATE SART |
| PREPARE FOR ABANDONMENT | PREPARE FOR ABANDONMENT | |
| DECIDE IF ONE OR BOTH LIFEBOATS | SEARCH FOR MISSING PERSONS | |
| EMBARK STRETCHER CASE FIRST | NOTE POSITION | |
| SEARCH FOR MISSING PERSONS IN VICINITY | ALERT VESSELS | TRY TO KEEP CLOSE TO SHIP, IF AFLOAT |
| NOTIFY COMPANY | COLLECT URGENT SUPPLIES | |
| ALERT VESSELS IN VICINITY | MANOEUVRE SHIP TO FACILITATE ABANDONMENT | |
| ATTEND TO:* RADIO EQUIPMENT * SURVIVAL SUITS * INJURIES * SEASICKNESS * MEDICATION | CONSIDER * USING OIL BAG * AWAITING FOR FAVOURABLE * CONDITIONS OR ASSISTANCE IF ON WAY * POSSIBILITIES FOR PARTIAL ABANDONMENT | TRY TO KEEP LIFEBOAT’S POSITION ON SHIP’S ROUTEG |