UMS OPERATIONS ON CHEMICAL TANKERS - CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

  

UMS OPERATIONS ON CHEMICAL TANKERS - CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL    

AUTOMATION AT SEA IS NOT SAFE,  IF PROPER PROCEDURES ARE NOT FOLLOWED. THESE PROCEDURES MUST BE IN WRITING.

UMS operations are prohibited on chemical tankers , without the prior authorisation of the Master.

There must be close liason between bridge and ECR when a change over takes place. The bridge watchkeeper must be informed on start and finish of UMS operations and he must record the relevant times in the Deck Log Book.

E/R doors must not be locked.

If a fire alarm gets activated during UMS period, all personnel must report to their fire station. Entry to engine room can be decided only by chief engineer after consultation with master.

Prior to commencing UMS operations the correct functioning of the Duty Engineer call out system must be verified. The Chief Engineer and Duty Engineer cabin alarm and the bridge alarm must be functioning correctly prior to commencing UMS operations.

Upon commencement of UMS operations an announcement is to be made on the public address system informing all ship's personnel that the engine room is unmanned and that entry is forbidden without the permission of or under instruction from the Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Master or Duty Engineer.

Should this not be possible other means must be adopted to ensure that all ship's personnel are aware that the engine room is operating in an unmanned condition. Suitable notices must be prominently displayed in way of the doors indicating that the engine room is unmanned and that unauthorised entry is forbidden

If an activated machinery alarm is not acknowledged by the duty engineer, the engineers call alarm in the accommodation will be triggered after a reasonable set time delay. The activation of such a call  alarm must be verified and logged in the UMS log book.

The engine room must be visited by duty engineer for an inspection round during the UMS period. This should normally occur between 2200 to 2400 hrs.

Max UMS period between 2 rounds is 8 hours.

Meal break maximum 60 minutes.

Duty engineer must change machinery operation to manned condition before entry of crew.

Duty engineer cannot enter the UMS engine room without alerting the bridge watchkeeper. This alert and the subsequent ( every 15 minute) alert should be recorded in the bridge log book. A radio linked personnel accident alarm may be used in lieu of this 15 minute alert.

All alarms during the UMS period must be recorded in the UMS log book which should be sighted by chief engineer daily.

Necessary written safety precautions should be clearly displayed at all entrances to unmanned machinery spaces. Warning should also be given that machinery is likely to start automatically like compressor.

All UMS machinery spaces should always be adequately illuminated.

When machinery is on bridge control, the bridge must be advised when a change in machinery setting is contemplated by the engine room staff, and before changing machinery to engine room control. Same will be logged.

Ships must not be operated in UMS mode without an appropriate valid endorsement on the ship's Certificate of Class.

Sensors and Alarms must be under a PLANNED MAINTENENCE SCHEME.  This means sensors must be calibrated and alarms tested.

UMS is prohibited if---

--The fire/smoke detection system is inoperative

--The ship is manoevering is congested waters

--Tank cleaning operations are in progress

--When the ship is carrying heated cargo and is not equipped with a chemical detection  alarm in the heating coil return which will activate the UMS alarm.

--Speed adjustments may be made to combat weather

--Critical alarms are inoperative. Example—high level alarms, jockey pump failure alarm etc

--Bridge control system or emergency stop system is inoperative

--Remote starting of electric fire pump is inoperative

--Bridge , chief engineer cabin, duty engineer cabin UMS alarms ( visual/ audible ) are inoperative. The activation of the engineer’s alarm on non-acceptance of a UMS alarm is not available

--During cargo and ballast transfer operations.

--Nitrogen generator is in operation.

--Critical alarms are inoperative. These are considered to be alarms or trips that affect equipment essential to the safe navigation and operation of the ship and machinery plant. This includes the link between the machinery alarm system and the engineers call out alarm. It also includes items that could have an environmental effect such as fuel oil and bilge water tank high level alarms etc.

--Any item of equipment is inoperative that is essential to the safe navigation of the ship, safe operation of the machinery/ship or is a requirement of class for UMS operation.

--Any control system that affects equipment essential to the safe navigation and operation of the ship and machinery plant is inoperative

--Should a UMS alarm remain unaccepted longer than the time at which the engineer's alarm should have been activated, the bridge watchkeeper must call the Chief Engineer and inform him of the situation.

THE ENGINE ROOM IS TO BE MANNED DURING THE  FOLLOWING HOURS: 0800 HRS TO 2000 HRS.

  1. Period of duty to commence at 1230 hrs until 1230 hrs next day

  2. Engine log book to be completed at 0800 hrs, 1200 hrs, 1600 hrs, 2000 hrs and 2400 hrs

  3.There shall be 5 machinery inspection rounds for UMS operation even on holidays

             FIRST ROUND AT 1220~1230 HRS ,PRIOR TO TAKE OVER THE WATCH

             SECOND ROUND AT 1500~1600 HRS, FILL UP THE LOG BOOK

             THIRD ROUND AT 1900~2000 HRS PRIOR UNMANNING E/R,  FILL UP THE LOG

             FOURTH ROUND AT 2300~2400 HRS ,FILL UP THE LOG BOOK

             FIFTH ROUND AT 0800~0900 HRS, FILL UP THE LOG BOOK

Practical checks D/E rounds : 

1          Funnel ( smoke / Spark )

2          Reefer rooms  temp

3          Prov Comp Suc/ Del Pr, Oil Pr. Oil Level-C/Case,  Condenser Level

4          A.C-Air Outlet temp,  Comp. Suc& Disc.lines, Oil Level-Comp Suc /Del Pr, 

            Oil Pr., Liq.flow in Cond, Amps,C.W PR.&TEMP,Leakage, Gas bottles lashed

5          LT & HT F.W Exp.Tk-Colour & Level

6          Check 3.5bar Steam Serv.P-3.5bar max , Check 7bar Steam Serv. Pr.-7bar max

7          Hot Water Circ.P/P Suc/Disch Tray For Collection Of Water

8          Boiler Mountings For Leaks &amp Proper V/Vs Open/Shut

9          Boiler Smoke Gas Side door leaks

10        Emer.Fire P/p-No Leaks/bilge well

11        Check Fire Fight.Equipment

12        Oil Drums-Lashed

13        Steering Gear-Linkage No leaks near rudder stock Motor Amps,Oil Level-Tanks

14        Incinerator P/P Tray Clean.Power OFF

15        Incinerator Mix Tk Temp/Level

16        ChemicalDrumsLashed,Area Clean

17        Boiler-WaterLevelController,Pr ExcessSteamPr.-7.5

18        All LO & FO Tks Trays Clean,All LO FO Tks Drain V/Vs Shut

19        Emergency Exit Shut      

                                                                     

20        Gen.Priming LO/Auto         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

21        Cyl.Oil.Measuring Tk.Topped Up Tray Clean

22        LT Cooler SW-In/Out,FW-In/Out,Leak

23        HT Cooler LT-In/Out,HT-In/Out,Leak    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

24        Main Air Comp-C/Case Oil Level LOTank Level,HPLP&OIL Pr Temp/Pr.-InterCooler

25        Air Bottles Drain,BottlesPress No Leaks,Serv.Air Pr.-7kg

26        Air Dryer Evap.Temp-2,Cont.Air InletFilter.Cont.Air Pr.-6.7kg

27        FO Back Flush Filter/Control Panel

28        Gen.J.W.Temp.Controller-70 degr.C                                                 

29        M.E. J.W. Temp.Controller-80 degr.C

30        Emer.AirComp,C/CaseOilLevel Comp.ReadyToStart 

              

31        Hydrophore Tk.Sight Glass Level,F.W.P/POnAuto,Suc/Dis

32        SewageTreatmentPlant-DischP/P auto,Comp.AirOn, Drain Cock Shut

33        Cascade Tk Temp-70-80 degr.C  Tk       Level,Water Colour,Oil detect.-On

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

34        All Spares in store room properly placed&loose objects lashed

35        Feed P/Ps Suc/Disch. Pr.,Gland Leakage,Motor

36        D.O Tk Settl.&Serv. Level

37        GO Tk Settl.&Serv. Level

38        Overhead Crane Power -Off

39        ME LO Circul.P/p Suc/Disc,Leaks

40        Gen-Sump,Gen.Preheating Gov.Oil-Level,JCW outlet,Exh.Gas Inlet toT/C,

            All Parameters,F.W Leakages,ST.BY Gen Switch RemoteSide,FuelLever-Run Position

41        LT CW P/Ps Suc/Disch,Leaks

42        HT CW P/Ps Suc/Disch,Leaks

43        AE FO Booster P/P-Suc/Disch

44        ME FO Booster P/P-Suc/Disch

45        F.W.G.Dosing Tk. Level,Check Parameters As Per Log Book Check P/P Leakes,

            Flow Of& Tray Cleaned

46        ME LO Autom. Filter In Serv

47        G.E. F.O 2nd Filter Diff.Press<1 nbsp="nbsp" o:p="o:p">

48        D.O Filter-Check For Leaks

49        L.O Cooler LT In/Out,LO In/Out

50        Temp.ControllerFor L.O CLR-41 degr.C

51        AE DO Supply P/p-Suc/Disc-Auto Start

52        F.O Feed P/P-Suc/Disch

53        Purifier Htr.Temp. Controller-95 Degr.C

54        Separator Room - No leaks

55        M/E Tray Clean

56        ME Safety filter Pr.drop Indicator Green

57        F.O. Visc. Recorders Switch-On

58        Blower Panel -Auto

59        F.O. Common Line Pr.-7.5 Visc. Ctrllr.-12 cst F.O Outle Temp  Inlet To M.E t

60        F.O. Settl./Serv. Tray Clean Temp of Tank ,Drain Water Drain v/v Shut , Level  in Tk

61        LO/FO Purifiers - C/Case Oil Level Back Pr. Suction Pr. Amps Leak From Gear P/P , 

            Leak From in/out  Connection

62         W/Shop-Welding Transformer Off. All loose objects lashed Oxy/Acetylene V/V Shut ,

             Tools In Proper Place Lathe,Grinding Drilling-Off, W/Shop Clean, No Drilling-Off, 

             W/Shop Clean, No

63        M.E.  Spare Gear -Lashed

64        M.E. Parameter as per Log Book,no Leakages,no Rags On Cylinder Head ,Free Movt.

            Of Racks ,No Leaks From Fuel P/p ,C/Case Door,Camcase Door,Pr. Switch,

            Pneumatic V/V J.C.W,Exhaust, Piston Clng Temp C/Case Oil Mist Detector  , 

            Scavenge Drains Open Local Temp-Scav. Air ,PistCool, L.O T/C Outlet, PistCool.Outlet

65        No S.W. Leakage From Ovbd v/v

66        Shaft Grounding 5-50 mV          

67        All E/R Bilges-Lowest Level.No Leaks           

68        Flywheel Bilges free from oil

69        S/T LO Gravity Tk Level           

70        S/T Fwd&AFT Seal Tk (Level,temp, Any Leakages From Stern Tube

71        Sounding Pipes Caps-Closed

72        M.E. Air Clr Pr. Drop Temp ,LT CW In/Out, Water Flow Through Sight Glass (condensate drain)

73        M.G.P.S .Volt-1.2

74        SW P/ps,Pr., Motor, Gland Leakage

 75        FO Transfer P/P Tray Oil Free

 76        DO Transfer P/P Tray Oil Free

77        Air Bottle For Quick Closing V/V Pr.-6.8

78        All Drain Tks have enough space

79        AuxBoil Feed P/p-Suc/Disc-Standby P/p

80        EGB Circul.P/p-Suc/Disc-Standby P/p

81        FRAMO Tk Level, Feed P/p Pr

82        Cathodic Protect Power On,Auto Mode

83        Chair in ECR is Lashed

84        OWS Is Off, Overboard  V/v Closed

85        Control Room : P/Ps On St.By AE & EG On St.By ,Control To Wheel House,

            P/p Amps, Main Engine Parameters In Engine Room, A.E-K.W &Amps

86        Fire Control Station-CO2 Start. Box Shut Main Fire  P/Ps Switches In Remote Start Pos

87        Fire Line V/Vs Open

88        Inform wheel House- nobody is in Engine Room

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

    Any arc welding in the vicinity must have return current cable -- or you corrupt all the PLCs 
    and  Microprocessors.       

CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

..