Answer SSEP Question 34

Q34. Prepare a proposal for safe manning requirements for a ship of your choice taking into account the IMO guidelines on the issue, also considering frequent port calls, rest hour management and high risk areas.
Answer: Statutory Requirements for safe manning
(1) SOLAS 74/78, Chapter V, Regulation 14, Ships manning- Mandates the port states to enforce requirements of safe manning for their flagged vessels.
(2) Contracting Governments undertake, each for its national ships, to maintain, or, if it is necessary, to adopt, measures for the purpose of ensuring that, from the point of view of safety of life at sea, all ships shall be sufficiently and efficiently manned.
(3) The Administration shall:
(a) Establish appropriate minimum safe manning following a transparent procedure, taking into account the relevant guidance adopted by the Organization
(b) Issue an appropriate minimum safe manning document or equivalent as evidence of the minimum safe manning considered necessary for compliance.

Preparing a proposal for safe manning requirements for a ship of your choice
Choice of vessel: Bulk carrier
flag: Indian
Engine power: Propulsion Power of 3000 Kilowatts and above
Voyage: International Voyages
Ports: All Indian ports and Dubai
Type of manning required as per DG shipping India
(1) Marine Engineer Officer Class I -1
(2) Marine Engineer Officer Class II.-1
(3) Marine Engineer Officer Class IV - 2
'OR' One Marine engineer officer class IV and One junior engineer officer having 3 months sea service after having completed Pre-sea course.
(4) Rating Forming Part of Engineering Watch-3
(a) If and when the vessel is assigned UMS Notation and plying so, then only one Marine Engineer Officer Class IV and two Ratings Forming pan of engineering watch is mandatory.
(b) IMO Resolution A.1047(27) (Adopted on 30 November 2011) through Annex 2 provides guidelines for determination of minimum safe manning. For marine engineering, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to:
1. Operate and monitor the ship's main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and evaluate the performance of such machinery;
2. Maintain a safe engineering watch in accordance with the requirements of the STCW Code;
3. Manage and perform fuel and ballast operations; and
4. Maintain safety of the ship's engine equipment, systems and services;
5. Electrical, electronic and control engineering, comprising the tasks, duties and responsibilities required to:
A. Operate the ship's electrical and electronic equipment.
B. Maintain the safety of the ship's electrical and electronic systems
Proposal for safe manning
As required for SMD
1. Chief engineer-Class 1
2. Second Engineer - Class 2
3. Third Engineer - Class 4
4. Fourth Engineer - Class 4
5. Trainee marine engineer - Class IV part 'A' (Passed or exempted)
6. Motorman - 3 Nos - With COP - Watch-keeping qualification
Additional requirement for HRA (High risk area)
(a) Lifeboat capacity also to be considered hence manpower is also restricted. Space will be required for pilots, Armed guards etc.
(b) While the ship in HRA captain will seek man power from engine room to place additional look out in anchorage area Both gangways, forward & aft - Minimum 2 people to be put in each location. To do the duties in ER and watch-keeping additional manpower will be required.
(c) Manpower will also be required for lire hose to be rigged tip and charged and prepare razor wire guarding etc.
7. Additional 4th engineer
8. Engine fitter
9. 1 Engine rating - Either a wiper/Motorman.