Emergency Contingency Procedures ECP Tsunamis / Earthquake	Doc No.: ECP 05-14 Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD

5.14. TSUNAMIS / EARTHQUAKE

5.14.1. General

(a) Earthquake followed by a Tsunami may cause catastrophic disaster in coastal areas and hence to merchant ships and port facilities. There are some countries, like Japan, wholly surrounded by sea and prone to such activities, but it may occur anywhere in the world.

(b) This also means a higher risk of encountering a tsunami when navigating in this region or staying in port areas. Hence, ship staff should be prepared for such emergencies also.

(c) In view of this, all vessels are required to establish procedures for taking immediate defensive action against a tsunami, to minimize damage and danger to the vessel and crew.

(d) It is essential that vessels have in place an appropriate procedure for rapidly obtaining tsunami information, as it comes available.

(e) Information regarding tsunamis is made available through several different media, including television broadcasts, radio, and marine VHF radio announcements. However, only VHF radio provides the information in a timely and convenient manner.

(f) All ships are required to have in place a continuous monitoring system for VHF radio whilst in Japanese port areas.

5.14.2. Defensive Measures in Port

(a) Preliminary Measures:

(i) Organization of monitoring system onboard
• Organize onboard for the continuous monitoring of VHF radio (Channel 16 => ch 12, 14) and shore radio, to receive earthquake and tsunami information and evacuation advice from the Captain of the Port as early as possible.
(ii) Provision of an emergency contact list
• Keep ready an emergency contact list of parties in port, such as the agent, port authority, cargo operation staff on the shore side, etc.
(iii) Inform the crew of the contact numbers for the agent and ship.

(b) At the time of experiencing an earthquake or receiving information of an earthquake/tsunami:

i) Collecting, monitoring, and sharing of information:
• Endeavour to gather as much information as possible by utilizing all available means, such as television, radio (1,665 kHz – in Japanese ports only), website, VHF radio, and through the agent, regardless of the perceived intensity of the earthquake.
• Maintain an onboard system for the continuous monitoring of VHF radio and pay special attention to any earthquake/tsunami information (advisory or warning) and evacuation advice by the Captain of the Port.
• Maintain communication lines with the agent and other shore side staff. Attempt to gain a full understanding of the current situation and ensure any relevant information is shared with the Master and the shore staff, including the agent and cargo operator.
ii) Ensure plural communication means and these should be preferential use for response to the earthquake/tsunami.
iii) Announce occurrence of earthquake/tsunami to all members on board.
iv) Prohibit going ashore and order all landing crew to immediately return to ship by whatever possible means.

(c) At the time of a tsunami advisory/warning:

i) Give evacuation orders to all persons on wharf quay or pier. Make visitors disembark from ship.
ii) Preparation for evacuation, in principle:

• Evacuating out of harbour is preferable when tsunami advisories are announced.
• Stand-by for immediate emergency departure to evacuate out of harbour when a tsunami warning (more than 1 meter in height) is announced.
• As far as possible, comply with any advice/instructions by the Captain of the Port, local safety measures for ship and shore parties, and any rules prescribed by the local association.
• To judge the suitability of carrying out an evacuation, the following preparatory study must be made:
• The availability and arrangement time of pilot, tugboats, and line handling staff
• Estimated arrival time of the tsunami, and its estimated height (from tsunami information)
• Tidal height at the estimated time of arrival, and height of wharf/quay/pier
• Relationship between the direction of tsunami strike and the ship’s berthing side
• Ship’s particulars and capacity for emergency departure
• Relationship between depth of channel/navigation route and ship’s draft
• Procedure for emergency departure
• Time necessary to prepare and put into effect an emergency departure
• Time necessary to navigate from berth or anchorage to a safe area or an area of sufficient depth
• Number of crew and time necessary to organize onboard emergency departure
• Capacity and congested condition of port
• Operational condition of signal station
• The ability to navigate without navigational aids at night-time in the event of a power outage
• Weather and sea conditions around the evacuation area
• Procedures and time necessary to stand-by and endure a tsunami strike at berth or anchorage
(iii) Suspend cargo operations.

• If the vessel equips hatch covers, restore them.

(iv) Ensure the vessel is in a ready state for departure by preparing the main engine, steering gear, deck machineries, navigational appliances and instruments, etc., and stand-by dropping anchor.

(v) If time is available, maintain proper ship condition through the control of water ballast.

(vi) Station crew in the wheelhouse, engine control room and fore/aft deck for mooring line handling and immediate navigation.

(vii) However, do not approach the mooring ropes except at the time of line handling for the following item (7) or other necessary works.

(viii) Where there is no time for evacuation, take as many additional mooring lines as possible, according to the direction of the tsunami strike, and adjust the lines on an even tension.


• Shift by line handling to ensure a sufficient distance from other ships if possible before those works.
(ix) Wind up the gang-way ladder just after completion of the transfer of all persons.

(x) Ensure organization of clear communication channels with shore side and cooperate closely with shore side regarding the suspension of cargo operations and emergency departure.

(xi) Arrange pilot and tugboats.


• Request preferential evacuation treatment if vessel is carrying dangerous cargo or is a very large vessel, to minimize the possibility of secondary casualties to port and coast.
• However, bear in mind that a situation may arise where pilots and/or tugboats are unavailable or delayed due to onshore conditions.
• If a guard boat is stationed, request that it supports unberthing and manoeuvring operations.
• Further, notify any tugboats and guard boats used in advance of no salvage actions.

(d) Actions to be taken after encountering a tsunami

i) Investigate the current condition of the ship, mooring facility, cargo handling facilities, the safety situation surrounding the ship, etc. immediately upon the termination of advisories or warnings then assess the advisability of returning to mooring and cargo operations.

ii) Keep a sufficient under keel allowance when underway, as there is a risk that water depth may have become shallow or sunken obstacles have moved.

iii) In case of any damage or suspicion of damage, consider lodging a note of protest with the harbour master in the next port.

5.14.3. Defensive measures at Anchorage

(a) When anchoring in a congested area, or the vessel is in a constricted space and lies in the path of the tsunami, if time is available, heave up anchor immediately upon ready to sail and evacuate to a safer area.
(b) If staying put in a non-congested area, keep the vessel engine on stand-by mode and, if practical, use an additional anchor to strengthen holding power and minimize ship movement.

5.14.4. Defensive measures while Underway

(a) In the case that the vessel is proceeding to the wharf, quay or pier, course should be reversed towards the outer harbor as far as is practicable.
(b) In the case that the vessel is underway in the outer harbor or near coast, the vessel should keep away from the harbor area or the coast, and keep her engine on stand-by mode, depending on the situation.