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Emergency Contingency Procedures ECP EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WITH SHIPBOARD PERSONNEL INVOLVED |
Doc No.: ECP 06-00
Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD |
6. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WITH SHIPBOARD PERSONNEL INVOLVED
This procedure is divided into seven parts:
- 6.1 Rescue Action In Enclosed Spaces
- 6.2 Acute First Aid
- 6.3 Injury / Illness / Medical Emergencies
- 6.4 Epidemics
- 6.5 Death on board
- 6.6 Runaway / Missing Person
- 6.7 Criminal Offence
6.1 Rescue Action In Enclosed Spaces
Entry into tanks, cofferdams, void spaces or holds is prohibited without precautions given in the Code of Safe Practice and unless express work permission from the Master or responsible officer is obtained as per the entry permit system.
6.1.1 Immediate Action
Immediate action details will follow here.
| Sr | Action - Rescue Actions in Tanks / Holds | Responsibility | Y/N |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sound alarm by all means to alert crew close by and officer on bridge watch. | Person standing outside for watch | |
| 2 | Sound general emergency alarm followed by announcement on the Public Address system about the nature of emergency. | Officer on watch at bridge/ CCR, ECR or in Ship’s office | |
| 3 | Start organized rescue operations through Fire Fighting teams. | Master | |
| 4 | The Fire-fighting teams & backup team shall start the rescue operation. | Commander On Scene | |
| 5 | Arrange extra lighting and arrange to ventilate the area further by available equipment should be considered, if so required. | Backup team | |
| 6 | Rescue team should enter with breathing apparatus (if required due to possibility of gas inside). | Commander On Scene | |
| 7 | Stretcher, first aid equipment and resuscitator should be brought to the area. | Backup team | |
| 8 | Hoisting equipment with a hoist harness should be rigged and manned. | Backup team | |
| 9 | Put on lines to steady the injured during the hoisting operation. | Backup Team | |
| 10 | When the injured person has been located, consider if treatment must be given on the spot or if he must be brought out of the area. | Rescue Team / Commander On Scene | |
| 11 | Neglect smaller body injuries and haul the injured to the hoisting place and put on the hoisting harness. | Rescue Team | |
| 12 | If more than one person is injured, first take care of the person closest to the hoisting place. | Rescue Team | |
| 13 | A stretcher should be made ready for further transportation after the first treatment. | Backup team |
6.1.2 Important Notes
- Note 1: The persons going to don Breathing Apparatus must exert themselves as little as possible before arrival at the location.
- Note 2: Enclosed Space entry and Rescue - Must be carried out bi-monthly independently or in combination with Fire, Oil Spill or Flooding Drill with simulated rescue operation from Enclosed Space.
6.2 Acute First Aid
(a) In all cases of injuries, the injured must be brought into safety and given all possible treatment available, on the spot without any loss of valuable time for transport to hospital.
(b) Acute first aid may be required in case of Drowning, Electrical shock, Skin Contact, Poisoning due to Gas, and Suffocation. This may result in Unconsciousness, Loss of respiration, or Loss of heartbeat. Recommended actions are:
| sr | Action – Artificial Respiration | Y/N |
|---|---|---|
| a. | Ensure the windpipe is open; | |
| 1. | • Lay the injured down on a solid surface • Put one hand under the neck • And the other on the brow • Lightly bend the head backwards • Clean the oral cavity, remove possible dentures |
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| 2. | Lay the injured in a stable side position when he is breathing. Stable side position: • Push the nearest foot up against the seat, so that the knee forms an acute angle; • Push the nearest hand in under the seat; • Draw the other hand against you, so that the injured rolls over on the side. • Steady up with a hand on the knee; • Bend the hand backwards and leave the head low, with one hand as support under the cheek. • Draw the other hand a little away from the back. |
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| b. | Artificial respiration | |
| 1. | If the injured does not breathe, blow two times strongly according to the mouth-to-mouth method (MTM). Feel the pulse on the throat. If the pulse can be felt, continue blowing at a rate of 12 blows a minute. | |
| c. | Regain the heartbeat | |
| 1. | If a sick person is seen collapsing due to heart failure, give him a hard blow by the fist in the breastbone above the heart. The impulse may be sufficient to start the heart functioning. Immediately, start heart compression if the heart function is not recovered. | |
| d. | Heart compression | |
| 1. | If a sick person is found and his pulse cannot be felt: • Start external heart compression 90/min; • Depress breastbone 4-5 cm. The pressure should be executed with straight arms and increasing force. The movement must be rhythmic and forceful. The patient must lie on a hard surface. • Heart compression and artificial respiration (Mouth to Mouth) must be carried out simultaneously. Two air blows and 15 heart compressions. |
(c) Note : Training for such type of emergencies should be included in the drills and practiced by everybody on board. Procedures for such emergencies cannot be learnt when the accident has happened.
6.3 Medical Emergencies
First aid may not be enough in case of injuries or illness, which require more extensive treatment than it is possible to give onboard. In such cases, Radio Medical Advice (refer Admiralty list of Radio Signals, Vol. 1) must be taken as soon as possible.
6.3.1 Immediate Action
Details of immediate action for medical emergencies will follow here.
| sr | Action - Medical Emergencies | Y/N |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Take Radio Medical Advice and exchange the following information: a) Age and sex of the patient; b) Pulse and blood pressure; c) Breathing frequency; d) Temperature; e) Description of the injury or illness symptoms; f) Information about earlier illness of the patient; g) Description of the treatment that has started on board; h) If patient can walk; i) Position, course, and speed of the ship; j) ETA first harbour; k) ETA nearest harbour (port of refuge); l) Weather condition in the area |
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| 2. | Rescue co-coordinating centers (RCC) to be contacted, if required. | |
| 3. | A message to the closest coastal radio station that medical aid is desired from possible ships in the vicinity may be forwarded through a general call to all ships in the area from the coastal radio station requesting such assistance. | |
| 4. | AMVER may also be contacted. AMVER has information about which ship with a doctor that participates in AMVER is the closest. |
Note : No delay should occur in case all information is not available. This may be collected while the contact is being established.
6.3.2 Naval/ Military Paramedics
In open sea areas, sometimes specially trained units of military paramedics are available and may be used. They board by helicopters or are dropped by parachute near the ship that needs help and will then follow the ship to the next port. In such a case, the procedure is as follows:
- (a) Make contact with the aeroplane / helicopter and prepare to have the same information ready about the patient as detailed above. In addition, a list of the medicines available on board must be ready;
- (b) In case paramedics are using parachutes, the ship must be ready to receive them with the bow against the wind. The lifeboat should be ready to recover the paramedics from the sea.
6.4 Epidemics
If the master comes to know about a person infected by a contagious disease or an epidemic, the following aspects must be considered at a relatively early point in time, as an epidemic may affect the whole complement on board.
| sr | Action - Epidemics | Y/N |
|---|---|---|
| a. | General | |
| 1. | Check the following: • The degree of contagiousness of the disease • Danger of spreading • Hospitalising - disembarkation • Isolation of the patient(s) • Removing all sources of infection • Hygienic conditions on board and around the patient • Extent of disinfecting possibilities • Protection of personnel attending to the patient • Possible cause (fresh provisions, water, etc.) |
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| b. | Precautions at Sea | |
| 1. | Local authorities or agents in the area should be contacted beforehand in order to determine the extent of the epidemics and the danger of infection. | |
| 2. | Find out the possibilities for vaccination against the disease if complement not already vaccinated. | |
| 3. | All on board should be informed about the danger of infection and precautions that will be taken on board, and what each one should do, and which special conditions they must be aware of (e.g., not consuming outside open food or water, if possible). | |
| 4. | Plan not to take water supply from such area. If required, water rationing to be started well in advance. | |
| 5. | Plan not to take any provisions in such area, as this is a potential infection source. | |
| c. | Precautions in Harbour | |
| 1. | How many of the complement have been ashore? Contacts are investigated? | |
| 2. | The complement is informed about the condition, and instructed for required hygienic precautions and actions? | |
| 3. | Precautions recommended by local authorities and if possible, to comply? | |
| 4. | Possibilities for vaccination are investigated? | |
| 5. | Has the ship received water locally? If so, chlorine should be added and may be boiled before consuming. | |
| 6. | Has any provision been taken on board? In case, what types? To be destroyed if necessary. Entry should be made in Logbook in such case. | |
| 7. | Considered moving out of the harbour with the approval of the company/ Charterers. |
6.5 Death on Board
Death caused by natural circumstances, by an accident, or due to a criminal offense, the company shall advise further in such circumstances. Following are the general guidelines for the master:
(a) Death Certificate
A death certificate must always be issued by a doctor even if the vessel is at sea. If death occurs at sea, a doctor must be summoned in the first port, and a death certificate requested on the basis of the logbook notes, copies of communications, statements from witnesses, and examining the corpse. The ship's agent shall further assist and liaise with Port health authorities or the national consular office.
(b) Handling of the Deceased
The company shall advise about handling the body after finding out from the relatives about special local/religious customs, if any. The body should be kept cold, possibly in a refrigerated space until arrival in port. The company shall consult the relatives regarding funeral services, burial, cremation, or transportation and advise the vessel.
(c) Notifying Next of Kin
Notification to next of kin shall be via the company that will take the appropriate measures at the domicile of the deceased. It is important that the notification reaches the next of kin without delay and through the right channels in order to avoid other persons contacting the relatives first.
(d) Notification to Authorities
If a seaman dies on board the vessel, the Master, in accordance with flag state laws, shall submit a declaration in the first port of call where this can take place. The duty to submit such a declaration is independent of the cause of death. The shipping master too should be informed with the death certificate issued by the doctor.
(e) Personal Effects, Valuables & Papers Belonging to a Deceased Seaman
- (i) All personal effects, valuables, and papers belonging to the deceased seaman shall be collected and recorded in the presence of a witness.
- (ii) The Master shall dispatch the seaman's wages, papers, valuables, and effects to the next of kin as per the advice of the company.
6.6 Missing / Runaway Person
(a).If a seaman has disappeared from the ship and is unlikely to return, the Master is obliged to notify the flag state office in the area immediately through the ship's agent. The flag state authority will consider such notifications with regard to initiating a search by local authorities.
(b). Before giving such notification, the following steps are expected from the Master:
| Sr. | Action – Missing / Runaway person | Y/N |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | A thorough search of the ship to be carried out. All ships close by and ships manned by the same nationality as the missing seafarer, should be contacted. | |
| 2. | Find out whether the missing person has taken his personal belongings with him. | |
| 3. | Contact the complement to establish when and where the missing person was last seen and his condition at the time. | |
| 4. | Notify the local agent & Company giving all relevant data of the missing person and seek further advice. | |
| 5. | Contact the local authorities, police, immigration office, etc., through the ship's agent. | |
| 6. | If there is any reason to suspect or believe that the missing person may have fallen into the harbour waters, arrangements should be made for a search by divers through the ship's agent and the harbour authorities. | |
| 7. | In this connection a normal enquiry should be conducted and an extract from the ship's log book should be delivered to the flag state authorities. | |
| 8. | Local representative of P&I Club should be informed, if available there. |
(c) If the missing person has not been found before the departure of the ship
The local agent shall take on the following obligations:
- Continuation of search for the missing person.
- Repatriation or onward travel for the missing person when he is found.
- Keeping the owner/operator informed.
6.7 CRIMINAL OFFENCE
A criminal offence is serious when it has caused great harm to life and property. If a serious criminal offence has been committed, or is suspected to have been committed on board, the Master must undertake certain investigations.
6.7.1 On board investigations
(a) Following actions by the master are suggested in case of a serious criminal offence:
- Try to ascertain who has committed the crime, and ensure that the perpetrator or suspect does not escape or destroy evidence.
- Collect evidence and secure these for later investigations.
- Record statements of what has happened.
- Determine if the incident is due to a criminal offence.
- Determine if one or more persons are involved.
(b) Mental condition at the time of the deed, the degree of intention or carelessness, criminal intent and motive for the deed must also be considered.
(c) In situations where the course of events cannot be established, or in case of doubt, gather all available information and confer with the Company for further expert advice & assistance.
(d) The master should not undertake further investigations than necessary to secure important information and proofs.
6.7.2 Notification
(a) Whether to report the matter to police or not shall depend on the nature and extent of the criminal offence. If it is a matter of preventing danger to life or health, there is a duty to report the case. In any case, the Company must be consulted first.
(b) In open sea, the Company should be informed with the course of events, extent of damage, and precautions taken on board.
(c) In harbour, the company and local agent should be informed first before alerting other authorities.
6.7.3 Securing of Evidence
In order to secure evidence before professional investigators can arrive on board, the following guidelines should be followed:
(a) Location of offence:
- The scene of the crime must be sealed off until professional help arrives. If the weather is bad, or expected to be, each object at the scene of the crime should be secured, marked and wrapped up, and the place where it was found should be marked.
- If possible, take photographs of the scene of the crime and around from many angles before objects are removed for marking and storage.
- If there are large objects at the scene of the crime, and it is expected that the perpetrator has touched one or more objects, these should be removed and locked in a room. The objects must be removed by taking hold where it is unlikely that the object has been touched.
- It is important that substances, which may complicate the matter, should not be taken to the scene of the crime.
(b) Marking of articles of proof:
- When marking objects from the scene of the crime, the victim, perpetrator, different cabins and spaces from other areas on board, use a system that is easy to follow.
(c) Smuggling / Drug abuse:
- It is strictly forbidden to carry or smuggle unauthorized goods of any kind onboard any ship of the Company. In case the master has suspicion or comes to know about the presence, procurement or use of drugs, he should start a search in such a manner that the persons involved have no advance knowledge of the search, thus preventing the removal of important evidence. Statements from witnesses, discovery of drugs and information from other sources should be used by the master to carry out the search.
- Injection needles, pipes, or other suspicious substances, etc., should be sealed in plastic bags and kept in the ship's safe until they may be delivered to the relevant authorities or as advised by the company. The cabin should be closed off, and a watch should be set outside. In case of death due to possible use of drugs or medication, or suspicion of this, the body must be kept in cold storage for later autopsy.
Note: Also refer to OCIMF publication “GUIDELINES FOR THE CONTROL OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ON BOARD SHIP” to be found on board.