Documented procedures under Emergency preparedness- Main engine failure

Main Engine Failure 

This is a very dangerous situation as it results in immobilisation of the vessel. 

It is further dangerous if the vessel is under maneuvering or in restricted area or facing a rough weather. 

It can be divided into various categories which forms emergencies such as Scavange fire, Uptake fire, crankcase explosion, Automation failure etc 

Immediate Action -

1.  Duty engineer/ Duty officer should take necessary steps to stop the engine if not engineer already stopped. should Duty officer should observe traffic situation whereas duty engineer prepare systems for stoppage. i.e firing of boiler, starting additional Aux Engine 
2. Inform Chief Engineer and Master about stoppage and sound Engineer's alarm Events must be logged and damage contained to the minimum. 

Follow up Action 

 These will be done by two man teams .The Chief Engineer will lead Engine Room team whereas Master will lead Bridge team. 

Bridge Response

• Inform Duty Engineer if not alerted by Engineer’s Alarm system.
• Call Master and Chief Engineer. 
• Appraise prevalent navigational situation and take any necessary action to improve safety margins.
• Check own vessel’s position, check for local dangers and assess risk. 
• Hand over the Engine Control to Engine room as requested.
• Engage Hand Steering and start second steering motor. Maintain original course or alter towards navigational safety. As the speed reduces, ensure that the helmsman is using sufficient helm to maintain course - once the ships head starts to drift it may not be possible to restore desired course.
• Depending on the navigational situation, it might be necessary to:

1. ¬ Transmit a Security Message on VHF DSC and VHF Ch 16.

1. ¬ Display necessary shapes/lights /sound signals as required 
2. ¬ Post additional look outs 
3. ¬ Call for Emergency Anchor stations and head for Emergency anchorage if needed. 
4. ¬ Advice relevant authorities if in coastal/port waters.
5. ¬ Log down events in the Deck log book.

Engine Room team 

1. Ascertain the cause of stoppage or failure of ME, by studying the order in which alarms are received; feed backs from duty engineer etc.
2. Stop leakage  of oil /water if generated during the incident.     
3. Commence damage assessment and arrive to logical estimate of time of stoppage. 
4. Communicate the stoppage duration to Master and Bridge team to enable them to         decide the safe place for anchoring.
5. Ascertain whether spares are available on board to carryout repairs necessary   either of temporary or  permanent nature and also whether they can be carried out by ship staff .
6. Carryout repairs with prior information to bridge & Master and with proper consideration to safety & pollution aspect.
7. Retain damaged parts on board for further investigation if required .

Incident Reporting :-Once the repairs have been successfully carried out. a detailed report should be prepared in the appropriate format of the Company 

This will include but not limited to the following: 

1. Time & date of incident 
2. Exact position of ship, distance from nearest land, port etc 
3. Details of damaged machinery, extent of damage.
4. Cause of damage in CE's opinion
5. Repair adopted, details of repairs done if they are not done as methods per maker's instructions. 
6. If further shore assistance is required 
7. whether the vessel is able to proceed with normal speed or reduced speed either to next port of call or port of refuge 
8. Any further investigation to be done or further analysis to be carried out to investigate in more detail, the causes of stoppage