Engine room

instructions

The Chief Engineer // 1

Engine room
instructions
The Swedish Club 2023, Edition 3
These engine room instructions are based in
accordance with IMO’s International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping
for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 2010 as per the
Manila amendments (STCW-Convention).

Published by The Swedish Club

P.O. Box 171, SE-401 22 Gothenburg, Sweden
Tel +46 31 638 400
E-mail [email protected]
Copyright © The Swedish Club 2023, Edition 3

Printed by PR-Offset AB, Gothenburg, Sweden

2312PR500/E8

Disclaimer:
The information in this booklet is provided for general information
purpose only. The Swedish Club accepts no responsibility for loss
which may result from reliance on information contained in this booklet.
Contents
1 Chief Engineer...........................................................4

2 Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW)...................10

3 Engine room ratings...............................................16

4 Engine room crew..................................................18

5 Watch arrangements..............................................22

6 Relieving the watch...............................................26

7 Checkpoints for safer operation............................30

8 Notes...................................................................31
 1
1. Chief Engineer
The Chief Engineer:
1.1 Shall, in consultation with the Master, determine
in advance the needs of the intended voyage,
taking into consideration the requirements for fuel,
water, lubricants, chemicals, expendables, spare
parts, tools, supplies and any other requirements.

1.2 Shall follow all relevant international regulations,

flag state, port state, local and SMS requirements.

1.3 Shall be responsible for the maintenance of all

equipment which is under the responsibility of the
engineering department.

1.4 Shall report to the vessel’s superintendent any

difficulties regarding the planned maintenance
system (PMS).

1.5 Shall ensure that the PMS is updated and that it

includes requirements of international regulations,
flag state, port state, local, manufacturers’, class
and SMS requirements.

1.6 Shall ensure that the Engineer Officer of the

Watch (EOOW) is informed about all required

The Chief Engineer // 5

 maintenance, damage control or repairs, which
will be performed during the engineering watch.

1.7 Shall ensure that any machinery not functioning

properly, expected to malfunction or requiring
special service shall be noted along with any
action already taken. Plans shall be made and
communicated regarding required action.

1.8 Shall ensure that if engine checks are carried out

in an unattended machinery system (UMS) that
SMS procedures are followed and all crew are
aware of the procedures.

1.9 Shall ensure that environmental procedures are

complied with as per MARPOL regulations, port
state regulations, e.g. SECA (Sulphur Emissions
Control Areas) or other local regulations, to be
aware when discharge is allowed or not, and
any other special regulations for the current
trading area.

1.10 Shall ensure that the EOOW follows

manufacturer’s suggestions when changing
between different fuel types in SECA regions.

1.11 Shall ensure that all engine room crew are

aware of the serious effects of operational or

6 // The Chief Engineer

 1
accidental pollution of the environment
and shall take all possible precautions to
prevent such pollution.

1.12 Shall ensure that the oily water separator (OWS)

is working correctly and all concerned engine
room crew are aware of the SMS procedures and
regulations regarding the OWS. This is imperative
as the OWS is one of the most critical items of
equipment on board.

• The PMS should include inspection

and cleaning of the OWS unit and all
associated piping
• All engineers operating the OWS should
receive appropriate familiarization training
• Operating instructions and operating diagram
should be posted on the OWS unit
• When sailing from port the vessel should have
a functioning OWS unit on board and sufficient
spares to maintain it in good condition

1.13 Shall ensure that all critical communication is

done by closed loop.

1.14 Shall organise the watchkeeping, ensuring that

the bridge team members (himself included) are
allowed sufficient rest periods in accordance with
the STCW convention and flag state regulations.

The Chief Engineer // 7

 1
1.15 Shall issue written standing orders and
special instructions as necessary.

1.16 Shall ensure that there is a climate for

encouraging challenges and assertiveness.

1.17 Shall ensure that risk assessments and work

permits are issued and followed.

The Chief Engineer // 9

 2
2. The Engineer
Officer of the
Watch (EOOW)
The EOOW:
2.1 Is the Chief Engineer’s representative and is
primarily responsible, at all times, for the safe
and efficient operation of all machinery and
equipment under the responsibility of the
engineering department.

2.2 Is responsible for inspections, operation, and testing

of all machinery and equipment, complying with the
PMS, following weekly routines, greasing routines,
alarm tests and analyses.

2.3 Is in charge of the watch and is only relieved if the

Chief Engineer clearly states this.

2.4 Shall promptly execute bridge orders.

2.5 Shall not be assigned or undertake any duties

which would interfere with their supervisory

Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) // 11

 duties in respect of the main propulsion system
and ancillary equipment.

2.6 Shall keep the main propulsion plant and

auxiliary systems under constant supervision
until properly relieved.

2.7 Shall ensure that all critical communication is

done by closed loop.

2.8 Shall ensure that adequate rounds of the

machinery and steering gear spaces are made for
observing and reporting equipment malfunctions
or breakdowns, performing or directing routine
adjustments, required upkeep and any other
necessary tasks.

2.9 Shall direct any other engine room crew and

inform them of potentially hazardous conditions
which may adversely affect the machinery or
jeopardise safety or the enviroment.

2.10 Shall take the necessary precautions to contain

the effects of damage resulting from equipment
breakdown, fire, flooding, rupture, collision,
stranding, or any other emergency.

2.11 Shall have sufficient knowledge about all

emergency duties and emergency equipment.

12 // The Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW)

 2
2.12 Shall bear in mind that changes in speed,
resulting from machinery malfunction,
or any loss of steering, may affect safety.
The bridge shall be immediately notified, in the event
of fire and of any impending action in machinery
spaces that may cause reduction in the vessel’s
speed. This notification, where possible, shall be
done before changes are made, in order to afford the
bridge the maximum available time to take whatever
action is possible to avoid a potential marine casualty.

2.13 Shall follow risk assessments and work permits.

2.14 Shall give all engine room crew appropriate

instructions and information which will ensure
the keeping of a safe engineering watch.

2.15 Shall be involved in the planning of detailed

repair maintenance involving repairs to electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or applicable
electronic equipment.

2.16 Shall ensure that environmental areas are

complied with as per MARPOL, SECA, flag state,
port state, or other local regulations, to be aware
when discharge is allowed or not and any other
applicable regulations for the current trading area.

The Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) // 13

2.17 Shall follow manufacturer’s suggestions
when changing between different fuel types
in SECA regions.

2.18 Shall ensure that the bridge is informed when the

engine control will be operating under UMS and
which EOOW is responsible.

2.19 Shall ensure that all crew members are aware that
only authorized personnel are allowed to enter the
control room, or an unattended machinery space,
when operating under UMS.

2.20 Shall ensure that the dead man alarm is used

when working in the engine room operating
under UMS.

2.21 Shall ensure that SMS procedures regarding

UMS are followed.

2.22 Shall cooperate with any engineer carrying out

maintenance work or repairs. This shall include,
but not necessarily be limited to:
• Isolating and bypassing machinery to be
worked on
• Adjusting the remaining plant to function
adequately and safely during the
maintenance period
• Recording, in the engine room log or other

14 // The Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW)

 2
suitable document, the equipment
worked on and the personnel involved,
which safety steps have been taken and by
whom, testing of the equipment, when the
equipment was repaired

2.23 Shall notify the Chief Engineer without delay

but not limited to:
• When engine damage or malfunction occurs
which may affect safety or the environment
• When any malfunction occurs which
may cause damage or breakdown of
critical machinery
• In any emergency situation or if there is any
doubt as to what decisions or measures to
take in accordance with the Chief Engineer’s
standing orders or SMS

2.24 Shall not hesitate to take immediate action for the

safety of the vessel, its machinery, crew and the
environment where circumstances require, despite
the requirement to notify the Chief Engineer.

The Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) // 15

 3
3. Engine room
ratings
Engine Room Ratings:
3.1 Shall follow the daily work orders.

3.2 Should be briefed about what to expect during

the watch.

3.3 Shall follow the instructions of the EOOW

regarding maintenance duties and assist in
the manual operation of the machinery in the
event of equipment failure.

3.4 Shall follow risk assessments and work permits.

3.5 Shall have sufficient knowledge of the SMS.

3.6 Shall carry out critical communication in closed

loop.

Engine room ratings // 17

18 // chapter name
 4
4. Engine
room crew
4.1 All members of the engine room crew shall be
familiar with their assigned duties. In addition,
every member shall at least have knowledge of:
• The use of appropriate internal
communication systems
• The escape routes from machinery spaces
• The location and use of all types of
fire-fighting equipment
• The engine room alarms
• The damage control gear in the machinery
spaces, together with their use and the various
safety precautions to be observed

4.2 All members:

• Shall ensure that all communication is carried
out in closed loop
• Shall always comply with the Chief Engineer’s
standing and special orders
• Shall ensure that the bridge and other
team members are informed and updated
on occurrences during the watch that are of
significance regarding safety of the vessel

Engine room crew // 19

20 // chapter name
 4
• Shall always comply with the vessel’s Safety
Management System (SMS)
• Shall only use SMS approved checklists
• Shall before arrival or departure be part of a
pre-arrival and pre-departure meeting. During
the meeting the operation is discussed and
tasks/duties are assigned
• Shall update the PMS when required or inform
EOOW when a job is completed
• Shall have required knowledge about the PMS
requirements and how the system operates

Engine room crew // 21

22 // chapter name
 5
5. Watch
arrangements
5.1 The EOOW shall ensure that established
watchkeeping arrangements are maintained
and is responsible, at all time, for the safe and
efficient operation of the vessel and protection
of the environment.

5.2 The EOOW shall ensure that any engine room

ratings carrying out maintenance duties are
available to assist in the manual operation of
the machinery in the event of equipment failure.

5.3 When deciding the composition of the engineering

watch, the following, but not limited to, shall be
taken into account:
• The type of vessel and condition of
the machinery
• The adequate supervision, at all times,
of machinery affecting the safe operation of
the vessel
• Any special modes of operation dictated by
conditions such as weather, ice, contaminated
water, shallow water, emergency conditions,
damage containment or pollution

Watch arrangements // 23
24 // chapter name
 5
• The qualifications and experience of the
engineering team
• The safety, vessel, cargo, port and protection of
the environment
• Follow the PMS and updating the system with
required jobs
• The observance of international, national and
local regulations
• Maintaining the normal operation of the vessel

Watch arrangements // 25
26 // chapter name
 6
6. Relieving
the watch
6.1 The EOOW shall not hand over the watch to the
relieving EOOW if there is reason to believe that
the latter is obviously not capable of carrying out
the watchkeeping duties effectively, in which case
the Chief Engineer shall be notified.

6.2 The EOOW must supply information to the relieving

EOOW about important developments during the
watch and Chief Engineer’s special orders.

6.3 Prior to taking over the engineering watch the

relieving EOOW shall satisfy themselves regarding
following but not limited to:
• Standing orders and special instructions
from the Chief Engineer
• The nature of all work being performed
on machinery and other systems
• The level and condition of all tanks
• The condition and level of fuel in the
different tanks
• Any special environmental requirements
• Condition and mode of various machinery
and systems

Relieving the watch // 27

28 // chapter name
 6
• Which mode different machinery and equipment
is operated in and which equipment is being
operated manually.
• Any issues which can arise from bad weather,
ice, contaminated water, shallow water, or any
other adverse condition
• Any special modes of operation dictated by
equipment failure or adverse vessel conditions
• The reports of engine room ratings relating to
their assigned duties
• The condition of safety equipment
• The state of completion of the different engine
room log books

Relieving the watch // 29

30 // chapter name
 7
7. Checkpoints for
safer operation
Extensive checklist and PMS jobs should be
available for:

• Main engine
• Diesel engines
• Alternators
• Electrical systems
• Separators
• Instrumentation
• Boilers
• Heat exchangers
• Pumps and motors
• Pipe system and valves
• Compressors and air systems

Checkpoints for safer operation // 31

8. Notes

32 // Notes
 8

Notes // 33
34 // Notes
 8

Notes // 35
Contact
Head Office Gothenburg London
Visiting address: Gullbergs Strandgata 6, New London House, 6 London Street
411 04 Gothenburg London, EC3R 7LP, United Kingdom
Postal address: P.O. Box 171, Tel: +44 7470 004 601
SE-401 22 Gothenburg, Sweden E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +46 31 638 400 Emergency: +46 31 151 328
E-mail: [email protected]
Emergency: +46 31 151 328 Hong Kong
Suite 6306, Central Plaza,
Athens 18 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
3rd Floor, K4 Complex II, Tel: +852 2598 6238
4 Moraitini & Makariou Street, E-mail: [email protected]
Paleo Faliro 175 61 Emergency: +852 2598 6464
Athens, Greece
Tel: +30 211 120 8400 Singapore
E-mail: [email protected] 4 Shenton Way
Emergency: +30 6944 530 856 #29-01 SGX Centre 2
Singapore 068807
Tel: +65 6381 9255
Oslo
E-mail: [email protected]
3rd Floor, K4 Complex II,
Emergency +46 31 151 328
4 Moraitini & Makariou Street,
Paleo Faliro 175 61
Athens, Greece
Tel: +30 211 120 8400
E-mail: [email protected]
Emergency: +30 6944 530 856

www.swedishclub.com