MAIN ENGINE FAILURE-EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

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1.    Check for other vessels in the vicinity, and for the proximity of navigational hazards.

2.    Inform the Master of the circumstances.

3.    Exhibit NUC lights or shapes.

4.    Engage hand steering. If vessel is coastwise, or in traffic, pull out of the mainstream whilst the vessel has headway by inertia. Head away from the nearest danger.

5.    If in shallow waters run the echo sounder.

6.    With nearby traffic, use appropriate whistle and Aldis signals to advantage.

7.    Consider warning other vessels in the vicinity by VHF, (SECURTE message).

8.    If in coastal waters, Local Authorities may need to be advised.

9.    Note the vessels position, and estimate the effects of tide and/or leeway.

10. If circumstances so dictate, prepare a party for anchoring.

11. The Engine Room will probably require you to put the telegraph to stop, and they will then take E/R Control.

12. Liaise closely with the Engine Room as to cause of breakdown, establish whether repairs are possible, and estimate time for repairs to be carried out. Will shore assistance be required, and will any spare parts be required?

13. Dependant upon the seriousness of the failure consider use of tugs, their ETA, and the possibility of Lloyds Open Form.

14. Note the time of the breakdown. All details are to entered into the Deck Operations Log.

15. All interested parties - Owners, Charters, Operators will need to be informed of the circumstances, and of the anticipated delay.

16. Consider the possibility that Class and/or P+I may be required to attend at the next port, and will they require a written report?

17. Photographic evidence of the failure would be helpful if available, similarly drawings and sketches. Any broken parts should be retained on board for further analysis.

18. Once passage has been resumed notify all interested parties.

In the case of an emergency slow down -

a)    Acknowledge alarms.

b)    Alert Master, await advice from the Engine Room.

c)    Be aware of the effects of leeway and tide, which are greater than when at full speed.

d)    Consider the consequences of full engine blackout/breakdown and follow the procedures described.

In extreme circumstances it is possible to override the slow down, by means of the “Cancel slow down” push button. This must not be done without the express permission of the Master and Chief Engineer - the engine has informed you that it has a problem, and only in extreme danger will this be overridden with the possibility of further damage to the engine.

Undoubtedly the Engine Room will need to take engine room control whilst sorting out the problem, therefore, in liaison with the Engineers, bring the telegraph to stop. Accept the control room indication once the Engineers have transferred from Wheelhouse to ER control.