Requirements for Unattended Machinery Space (UMS) Ship:

1. Fire Precaution

• Arrangements should be provided on the UMS ship to detect and give an alarm in case of fire.
• In the boiler, air supply casing and uptake.
• In scavenge space of propulsion machinery.
• In engines of power, 2250 kW and above or cylinders having bore more than 300mm should be provided with an oil mist detector for the crankcase or bearing temperature monitor or either of two.

2. Centralized control & instruments are required in Machinery Space

• UMS ships must have a centralised control room that is easily accessible and equipped with adequate instrumentation and equipment to monitor and operate all main and auxiliary machinery. A system must be provided to call the engineers to the machinery space in case of emergency

3. Protection against flooding:

• UMS ships must have bilge wells that are located and designed to detect the accumulation of liquid at a normal angle of heel and trim and to accommodate the drainage of liquid during an unattended period. If the bilge pump starts automatically, an alarm must indicate that the flow of liquid pumped is more than the capacity of the pump.

4. Automatic Fire Detection

• Alarms and detection should operate very rapidly and effectively. It should be placed at numerous well-sited places for quick response of the detectors.

5. Fire Extinguishing System

• There should be arrangements for a fire extinguishing system other than the conventional hand extinguishers, which can be operated remotely from machinery space. The station must give control of emergency fire pumps, generators, valves, extinguishing media, etc.

6. Alarm System

• A comprehensive alarm system must be provided for control & accommodation areas.

7. Automatic Start of Emergency Generator

• Arrangements for the starting of an emergency generator and automatic connection to the bus bar must be provided in case of a blackout condition, apart from that, the following points are also to be noted.
• 8. Local hand control of essential machinery like steering, emergency generator starting, emergency start for main engine, etc. 8. Adequate settling tank storage capacity. 9. Regular testing & maintenance of machinery alarms & instruments.

• Immediately Inform the Chief Engineer and Master about the situation.
• Man the Engine Room, Increased vigilance is necessary, and a dedicated person should be positioned at the ECR station.
• Conduct significantly more frequent fire rounds, examining all areas for any signs of fire or overheating. This involves visual inspection, checking temperatures using infrared thermometers, and detecting unusual smells or sounds.
• Monitor all machinery parameters closely for any signs of abnormality, such as temperature increases, unusual vibrations, or unusual pressure changes. This includes checking oil and gas leakages.
• Ensure all containers of lubricating oil, diesel oil, fuel oil, and chemicals are properly secured to prevent spillage or movement.
• Check that all other machinery alarms are functioning correctly, and report any additional issues to the Chief Engineer and Master.
• Given the failure of the main system, consider the use of alternative detection methods. This could include enhanced visual inspections and the use of portable smoke detectors.
• If the situation remains unresolved, or other safety concerns arise, it might be necessary to consider diverting to the nearest port for repairs and improved safety.