Tag: engine room

A common requirement from all vetting bodies (RiSQ 3.0, SIRE 2.0, DryBMS, TMSA, etc.) is the existence of an Engine Room Manning Matrix, similar to the Bridge Manning Matrix. The significant difference is that the Bridge must always be manned, while most Engine Rooms operate in an Unmanned Status for some periods of the day.

The engine room, as a key area for ship operations, receives special attention from each PSC Officer who boards the ship. They will closely inspect all machinery and equipment to ensure they are in proper working order and compliant with regulations. Any deficiencies found in the engine room can result in citations or even detention of the vessel.

The evolution of modern marine propulsion plants nowadays has resulted in a high level of machinery’s automated functioning. This has led shipping companies to continue investing in innovative technologies, adopting tested ones, and therefore reducing the number of personnel occupied with the engine room and other machinery spaces on board.

In February 2024, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) published the second edition of its Engine Room Procedures Guide, after 5 years of the first edition, featuring routine engine room procedures and useful checklists for the ship’s engineering team.

Given the size and complexity of today’s vessels, problems with engines can quickly escalate into major disasters. Considering the alarming increase in incidents related to engine fires and failures in recent years, strict adherence to established procedures and recognized best practices in engine rooms is more critical than ever.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on an incident where, , an engine room fire broke out aboard the passenger ferry Sandy Ground, while the vessel was underway in New York Harbor, near Staten Island, New York, with 884 persons aboard.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report on an incident where, on February 17, 2023, while the Desperado was transiting Lake Salvador on the Intracoastal Waterway in Bayou Perot, Louisiana, a fire occurred in the engine room that the crew was not able to extinguish, and the crew evacuated the vessel. 

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit has issued an investigation report into a fire onboard the container vessel CMA CGM Paranagua, whilst alongside at Besiktas Shipyard, Türkiye.

According to news, on 10th June a fire erupted on a Turkish-owned cargo ship, Yaf Horizon, while it was docked at the port of Haifa, leading to a significant emergency response.

As most fires on board ships start in the engine room, Gard P&I Club highlights the main aspects associated with fire safety of engine rooms, based on observations made during condition surveys of vessels entered with Gard.