NSMV Taking over the watch

Section 7.1 Taking over the watch

Your responsibilities when you take over a watch are clearly delineated by STCW Section A-VIII/2, which states:

Prior to taking over the engineering watch, relieving officers shall satisfy themselves regarding at least the following:

The standing orders and special instructions of the chief engineer officer relating to the operation of the ship’s systems and machinery;

the nature of all work being performed on machinery and systems, the personnel involved and potential hazards;

the level and, where applicable, the condition of water or residues in bilges, ballast tanks, slop tanks, reserve tanks, fresh water tanks, sewage tanks and any special requirements for use or disposal of the contents thereof;

the condition and level of fuel in the reserve tanks, settling tank, day tank and other fuel storage facilities;

any special requirements relating to sanitary system disposals;

condition and mode of operation of the various main and auxiliary systems, including the electrical power distribution system;

where applicable, the condition of monitoring and control console equipment, and which equipment is being operated manually;

where applicable, the condition and mode of operation of automatic boiler controls such as flame safeguard control systems, limit control systems, combustion control systems, fuel-supply control systems and other equipment related to the operation of steam boilers;

any potentially adverse conditions resulting from bad weather, ice, contaminated or shallow water;

any special modes of operation dictated by equipment failure or adverse ship conditions;

the reports of engine-room ratings relating to their assigned duties;

the availability of fire-fighting appliances; and

the state of completion of engine-room log.

These items can be ascertained by inspecting the logbook and night orders, consulting with the off-going engineer and the bridge, and most importantly: completing a thorough inspection round of the engine room. You should make a complete inspection of all operating machinery before you take over the watch, and make quick rounds hourly throughout the watch.

You are also required to insure that all members of your watch appear to be fully capable of performing their duties effectively. This means no hangovers!

Engineroom rounds.

Making a thorough inspection round is an important part of being a professional marine engineer. The round will enable you to become familiar with the “normal” operating conditions of the plant, i.e. temperatures, pressures, vibrations, noises, liquid levels and odors. As problems develop, you will recognize small variations and catch them before they develop into larger problems. You will learn which machines are running, which will reduce the time necessary to restart a tripped machine, or to start up a stand-by unit in an emergency. You will note which tanks are in service and their levels, to insure that you have sufficient fuel oil, lube oil and feedwater to complete the watch.

When you make an engine room round, you should:

Feel all motors for temperature and vibration. The ends of the motors will give an indication of the condition of the bearings. Heat generated on the motor sides may mean a motor overload or a cooling problem.
Check pump bearings and packing glands for excessive temperature or leakage. Leaking glands should be carefully tightened to minimize leakage into the bilge.
Be observant as you move from space to space. Note any leaks, unusual vibrations, heat, smells or noises as you move from space to space.
Check bilge levels for water or oil.
Maintain good housekeeping. Leaks and spills, burned out light bulbs, loose tools, trash, etc. should be attended to.
Note the operation of gages and other instrumentation. A properly ranged gage will have the needle near the mid position (12 o’clock) during normal operation. A gage which never appears to move may be faulty, and should be replaced. Note mis-calibrated gages in the maintenance log.
Observe and log all pressures and temperatures to see that they remain normal. Compare your observations with recent readings in the logbook, and look back to identify trends. Subtle changes in pressures or temperatures may indicate developing machinery problems.
Check the oil level in machinery sumps regularly; if changes occur, investigate for leaks. Samples of oil should be tested regularly to check for water leaks and acidity.
Observe and log the main engines and auxiliary machinery oil and cooling water temperatures
Check the instrumentation on the main switchboard, to note the electrical load and check for grounds.

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