Q. Develop a training program for activities in a vessel, where you have recently joined as CE highlighting the specific needs for engine room personnel in case of:
A. Use of life saving appliances
B. Fire in accommodation
C. Explosion in the engine room, when ship is in dry dock
Answer:-
“STANDARDS OF TRAINING & CERTIFICATES OF WATCHKEEPING” (STCW 95)Section A-1/6 deals with the training & assessments of the seafarer onboard training
A. Use of the life saving appliances
- C/E should ensure that the entire crew is trained on the use of personnel lifesaving appliances like donning of life jacket, use of lifebuoys and use of immersion suit and anti-exposure (CTPA) suit clear instructions should give to the crew to understand the muster list & his duty in case of an emergency situation operating instructions of the life craft, life boat & rescue boat should also be explained.
- Thus, the training in the use of life saving appliances and the importance of communication until more confidence in to crew.
- Crew is trained for the emergencies like “fire in the accommodation” training should include following type of action
B. Fire in Accommodation
Immediate Action:
i. Raise alarm & inform C/E & master. All personnel should be mustered & accounted for
ii. All concerned should be informed about the location of the fire
iii. Fire parties should be organized & equipped. Attack party should be ready with the fire suit & B.A.
iv. Check & start emerging fire pump
v. All related valves on the system should be adjusted to maintain fire main pressure in the required area.
vi. If required close the water tight doors
vii. Stop all the blowers, fans & close ventilation slaps & sky lights
viii. Arrange evaluation of the injured person & render first Aid if required.
Follow-up
i. Use suitable fire extinguishing agent
ii. In case of the dangerous cargoes consult ‘IMDG’ code
iii. Check effects on the ship’s stability & maintain ship in upright position
iv. Assure fire parties working in pairs/teams
v. Try to limit the fire by spreading or by shifting the combustible material in the vicinity.
vi. Make sure boundary cooling is provided continuously.
vii. Monitor the temperature of the boundaries being cooled.
viii. Ensure sufficient protection to the personnel is given.
ix. Confirm is there is requirement of using smoothening methods like CO2 etc.
x. Make detailed record of the items on firefighting procedure used, progress made & damage caused by the fire.
xi. If any medical assistance is needed for the injured crew member
xii. Vessel rescue equipment deployed.
C. Explosion in the Engine Room, when Ship is in dry-dock
1. Prevention of the occurrence is the most important object of training especially in this scenario.
2. Need & use of permits w.r.t hot work, work on F.O, L.O. Tanks, procedures required by the shore authorities & their checks & certification before carrying out operations. Such as above should be explained to all the ship staff.
3. In the event of the explosion, the response has to be well organized & training for this will include:
i. Need to muster & location of the muster stations
ii. Need to establish proper head count & get information about the missing persons if any
iii. Rescue procedures, first Aid for those injured
iv. The need to identify & check/Monitor adjacent crew spaces to give early warning of a secondary effect of the explosion such as fire breaking out in adjacent compartment
v. Required to inform shore authorities & seek them assistance as required.
vi. Also, in case of fire in the accommodation chief officer c/o is an in-charge of fire team & second engineer will be in support team in charge & will help the firefighting team in boundary cooling, fireman outfit SCBA etc.
vii. In some of the ships C/E also acts as SSO Ship Security Officer/Ship Safety Officer for safe working practices to be continued on board ship in E/R as well as on the Deck
viii. So C/E should assure that all the personnel involved in the designated work should be familiar in his field. He should know the code of safe working practices
