Arrangements for operating the machinery in manual mode after UMS system failure

When the UMS system fails, the vessel cannot be operated unattended; the second engineer officer should introduce a safe manual watchkeeping system for the 10-day passage.

Arrangements:

• Establish a continuous manned watch in the engine room (watch system), with the engineers undertaking rounds and control from the ECR, since automatic monitoring/alarms are no longer available; maintain a proper watch record.
• Operate the main engine and auxiliaries manually from the engine room control station, with local (manual) tank level and pressure readings taken on each watch; use the manual gauge boards and sight glasses to confirm levels and pressures.
• Adjust controls manually: maintain lube oil, jacket/FW cooling, sea water, fuel oil, scavenge and turbocharger parameters by local adjustment, and check the turbocharger and crank/connecting rod lube.
• Manual change-over and pump operation: operate fuel change-over, transfer pumps, bilge and the auxiliary boiler (if used) by hand in accordance with the standing orders; frequently check and log tank levels, temperatures and pressures.
• Run the auxiliary engines/generators with manual start and manual load sharing, and keep a spare/standby generator ready; monitor electrical load and phase balance.
• Post a responsible watchkeeping engineer at all times/attendance at defined intervals; the duty engineer must carry a means to detect alarms (the watch system/patrol), since automatic calling has failed - arrange bridge intercommunication and increase rounds.
• Continue with fire watch/detection manually (confined spaces, boiler/incinerator and the machinery space) and keep the fire-fighting/ventilation controls available for manual operation; ensure manual fire alarm and foam/water-mist activation is understood.
• Follow the failure of the alarm/monitoring system: record the fault, carry out basic fault-finding and attempt to restore the UMS system at sea, using the engineers' knowledge and the ship's spares; keep the superintendent informed and log the temporary standing orders for manual operation.
• Maintain a clear log of all readings and of the manual mode so that when the UMS is restored the operation returns to normal in a controlled way.
• If the failure is due to a fire/emergency alarm unit or a catastrophic failure, implement the emergency unmanned alarm procedures (fire watch, patrol) and the appropriate standing orders, and in doubt avail of the emergency manual controls.

The overriding requirement is safety: a dedicated, trained watchkeeping engineer (or engineer with assistance) is always present, carrying out rounds and manual controls, and a proper log is kept for the whole 10-day passage.