Immediate, reporting and permanent repair actions for a small hole in the engine-room side plating.

• Raise the alarm and inform the bridge/chief engineer; stop or reduce the flooding by closing the sea inlet/outlet valves in the vicinity if the hole is near a sea chest, and isolate the affected area.
• Attempt to stop or reduce the inflow: apply a temporary patch - a softwood plug, a wooden wedge, a collision mat, a steel plate patch with a rubber gasket held by a strongback and wedges, or a cement box (a wooden box filled with quick-setting cement) over the hole. Use a shore/strongback and wedges to hold the patch against the pressure.
• Pump out the water using the bilge and ballast pumps, and use the emergency bilge suction; keep the water level down and monitor the bilge.
• Reduce the pressure on the hole by trimming the ship (e.g. ballast to raise the damaged side or reduce the head) and by reducing speed to lower the dynamic pressure.
• Isolate the compartment, close watertight doors, and keep the engine-room watch; monitor the level and the patch continuously.
• If the hole is small and accessible, a temporary welded patch or a bolted patch with a gasket can be fitted once the area is dried and gas-free.

• Report the incident to the master, who reports to the company (DPA/technical superintendent) and, as required, to the flag state and the coastal state (if in territorial waters) and to the port state on arrival.
• Make a full entry in the deck and engine log books, and record the damage, the temporary repair, and the water ingress.
• Notify the classification society (class) of the damage; class will require a survey of the damage and the temporary repair, and will issue conditions of class or a recommendation for a permanent repair before the ship proceeds or within a specified time.
• The ship should proceed to a port of refuge/repair as directed, and the temporary repair must be maintained and monitored during the voyage.
• Comply with the ISM code (reporting, non-conformity, corrective action), and with the flag state's requirements for reporting marine casualties/incidents.

• Arrange for the permanent repair at a suitable repair yard or by an approved repairer, with the damaged plate renewed (renewal of the shell plate or a welded insert plate of the correct grade and thickness), the surrounding structure inspected for corrosion/fatigue, and the weld carried out to class-approved procedures by certified welders.
• The repair must be surveyed and approved by the classification society surveyor, with NDT (ultrasonic, dye-penetrant) of the welds as required, and the plate thickness and material certified.
• After repair, carry out a watertightness test (hose test or air test) and restore the protective coating (paint/antifouling) and any insulation.
• Update the class records and the ship's drawings, and close out the condition of class; the permanent repair should be completed before the ship returns to unrestricted service, and the temporary patch removed.