Unattended Machinery Space Operation


FOM-4.2	Fleet Operations Manual General Unattended Machinery Space Operation	Doc No.: FOM-4.2 Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD

APPLICATION

This document applies to all shipboard personnel.

This document specifies requirements for operation of Unattended Machinery Space (UMS).

Ensure that Engineer on Watch (EOW) is familiar with the requirements for UMS operations

All UMS classified ships should operate in UMS mode as far as possible.
UMS operations must only be commenced after take over, on ensuring:
- Vessel has operated with manned machinery space for adequate period, to confirm that subsequent operation in UMS can be safely carried out
- UMS checklist approval has been obtained from Vessel Manager.
Consider the machinery spaces unattended if personnel are present for maintenance work, and mode is not changed to “Manned”.
On any ship certified for unmanned operation the machinery space is to be manned for a minimum period of 8 hours within any 24-hour period.
Duty Engineer’s shall conduct engine room inspection rounds after work hours & at night hours before retiring to bed, with a maximum period between checks should not exceed 10 hours.
No vessel is to operate with the machinery spare unmanned in the following circumstances:
- During standby/adverse conditions see Sec 4.2 / 4.3 of this chapter
- When cargo handling plant places a high & variable load on the electrical or steam generating plant.

Meet following requirements before operating in UMS mode:

Following must be operational:
- The bridge control system
- The main engine alarm and trip systems
- The oil mist detection equipment
- The fire alarm system
- The bilge alarms
Following must be set for automatic start/operation:
- An auxiliary diesel alternator
- Emergency diesel alternator
- The sequential restart system
- All main engine support system standby pumps
- One boiler
- The second steering gear motor
The Master and Chief Engineer should check following prior deciding to keep UMS:
- Navigational conditions,
- Machinery defects
- Any condition which requires regular monitoring.

Keep the engine control room manned in standby condition when manoeuvring.

Notes:

Examples of situations requiring standby conditions in the engine control room:

Port arrival and departure
Anchorages arrival and departure
Mooring and tug handling operations
Pilot boarding and disembarkation
Traffic separation scheme
High traffic density area, fairway and roadstead transit
Ship to ship operations which includes Ship to barge operations, storing operations with supply launch etc
Adverse weather conditions

EOW or rating can enter machinery spaces when he meets the following conditions:

Use a dead-man alarm system. Press a timer at regular intervals without which an audible alarm will sound; or
Establish a periodic communication system with bridge
Report the names of personnel entering machinery spaces to the bridge

Safe entry requirement for unattended machinery space should be clearly posted at machinery space entrance door, on bridge and ERC.

Chief Engineer should develop UMS checklist, based upon the ship specific machinery.
UMS checklist should consider ship specific layout such that sequence of check items follows a practical patrol route that the operator will take while filling up.
Chief Engineer should forward a dated UMS Check-List to the Vessel Manager for approval.
The Vessel Manager will review the draft UMS Check-List and confirm approval in writing.
Chief Engineer should attach a copy of Vessel Manager’s approval to the plastic sheets with the UMS Check-list.

E-17 Sample UMS checklist