Answer MET Question 29

 Question: With reference to U.M.S. operations:

A. State with reasons the essential requirements for unattended machinery spaces;

B. As second Engineer, describe how you would respond to the irretrievable failure of the Machinery space fire alarm system whilst the ship is on voyage. 

Answer: A. Unattended machinery spaces
Essential requirements for UMS Ship are stated in the SOLAS 1974 Chapter II-1.
Requirements for Unattended Machinery Space (UMS) Ship
1. Fire Precaution
A) Arrangements to detect and give alarm in case of fire, should be provided in the boiler air supply casing and uptake and in scavenge space of propulsion machinery.
B) In engines of power 2250 Kw and above or cylinders having bore more than 300mm should be provided with oil mist detector for crankcase or bearing temperature monitor or either of two.
2. 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.
3. Fire Extinguishing System
There should be arrangement for 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.
4. Alarm System
A comprehensive alarm system must be provided for control & accomodation areas. Deadman alarm is an important alarm in this system.
5. Automatic Start of Emergency Generator
Arrangement for starting of emergency generator and automatic connection to bus bar must be provided in case of blackout condition. Apart from that following points are also to be noted.
a) Local hand control of essential machineries like steering, emergency generator starting, emergency start for main engine etc.
b) Adequate settling tank storage capacity.
c) Regular testing & maintainence of machinery alarms & instruments.
6. Protection against Flooding
Bilge well in UMS ship should be located and provided in such a manner that the accumulation of liquid is detected at normal angle of heel and trim and should also have enough space to accommodate the drainage of liquid during unattended period.
In case of automatic starting of bilge pump, the alarm should be provided to indicate that the flow of liquid pumped is more than the capacity of the pump.
7. Control of Propulsion Machinery from Navigation Bridge
Watch keeping officer on bridge must be able to take emergency engine control actions. Control system and instrumantion must be as simple as possible. The ship should be able to be controlled from bridge under all sailing conditions. The bridge should be able to control the speed, direction of thrust, and should be able to change the pitch in case of controllable pitch propeller.
Emergency stop should be provided on navigating bridge, independent of bridge control system.
The remote operation of the propulsion should be possible from one location at a time; at such connection interconnected control position are permitted. The number of consecutive automatic attempt which fails to start the propulsion machinery shall be limited to safeguard sufficient starting air pressure.
8. Centralized control & instruments are required in Machinery Space
Centralized control system should be there so that engineers may be called to the machinery space during emergencies from wherever they are.

B. As second Engineer, describe how you would respond to the irretrievable failure of the Machinery space fire alarm system whilst the ship is on voyage.
Regular watchkeeping of engine room should be started, ensure constant surveillance and adequate rest hours should be maintained.
It is to be ensured that at least two people are present for watch keeping.
Identify high risk areas and keep hoses ready and ensure proper housekeeping, no source of ignition should left unattended.
Fire and flooding rounds in engine room spaces should be carried out frequently.
It is to be ensured that varoius alarms are connected, functional and active.
Ensure proper stowage of chemicals and lube oil containers.