PSSR Course PDF Handout
PSSR Course PDF Handout
PSSR Course PDF Handout
MARITIME STUDIES
COURSE OUTLINE
Topic Hours
Demo
Lecture Practical Total
Video
1. Introduction
1.1 Importance of the course
1.0 1.0
1 .2 Ship familiarization
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This course provides familiarization, basic safety training and instruction for safe working procedures,
social responsibilities aboard ship. It is based on the guidance on training in section A-VI/1-4 of the
STCW 1995 as amended in 2010. This course aims to meet the standards of competence stipulated in
section A-VI/I-4 of STCW 2010.
CHAPTER 2
TYPES OF EMERGENCY
Every Company should establish procedures to identify describe and respond to potential emergency
shipboard situations. The Company should also establish program for drills and exercises to prepare for
emergency actions. The safety management system should provide for measures ensuring that the
Company's organization can respond at any time to hazards, accidents and emergency situations
involving its ships. It is important that company shore and shipboard contingency planning is consistent
and appropriately integrated.
Shore based contingency plans may include:
• the composition and duties of the persons acting within the contingency plan;
• procedures for the mobilization of an appropriate company emergency respond (which may
include the establishment of an emergency respond team):
• procedures to follow in respond to different types of accidents or hazardous occurrences;
• procedures for establishing and maintaining contact between the ship and management ashore;
• the availability of ship particulars, plans, stability information, and safety and
environmental protection equipment carried on board; -
• checklists appropriate to the type of emergency which may assist in the systematic questioning
of the ship during the response;
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• lists of contact names and telecommunication details of all relevant parties who may need to
be notified and consulted;
• reporting methods for both ship and shore based management;
• procedures for notifying and liaising with the next of kin of persons on-board;
• procedures for issuing information bulletins to and answering queries from the media and the public;
• back up arrangements for the company's initial respond in the event of a protracted emergency;
• The roistering of the company personnel and specialists dedicated to support the response
and adequate relief for the maintenance of their routine duties.
Shipboard contingency plans should take account of the various types of emergency which may arise
on a particular ship and may include:
• the allocation of duties and responsibilities on board;
• actions to be taken to regain control of a situation;
• communication methods to be used on board;
• procedures for requesting assistance from third parties;
• procedures for notifying the company and reporting to relevant authorities;
• maintaining communications between the ship and shore; and
• Procedures for dealing with the media or other outside parties.
Contingency plans should be established to describe how to deal with emergency situations related
to damage, fire, pollution, personnel, security and cargo.
• abandoning ship;
• man overboard/search and rescue;
• entry into enclosed spaces; serious injury;
• terrorism or piracy;
• helicopter operations; and
• Heavy weather damages.
This list is by no means exhaustive and the company should attempt to identify all possible situations
where shipboard contingency planning would be required, relative to the ship, its construction,
equipment and trade. International regulation under MARPOL 73/78, Annex 1, and regulation 26
requires every oil tanker of 150 tons gross tonnage and above, and every ship other than oil tanker of
400 tons gross tonnage and above, to have a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan.
Emergency Drills
Actions to counter potential emergency situations should be practiced in drills. A program of such
drills, additional to those required by the SOLAS Convention, should be conducted to develop and
maintain confidence and proficiency on board. These drills should be developed to exercise the
emergency plans established for critical situations and should, as appropriate, mobilize the shore based
management emergency contingency plans under simulated conditions. Emergency drills and exercises
should be carried out regularly to test the effectiveness and clarity of emergency plans, and to develop
the confidence and competence of the personnel who may be involved in actual emergencies. Records
of all emergency drills and exercises conducted ashore and on board should be maintained be available
for verification purposes. Appropriate personnel should evaluate the results of these drills and exercises
as an aid to determining the effectiveness of documented procedures.
• Companies identify key shipboard operations and issue instructions on the manner in which
these operations are to be performed. Continuing supervision and verification of compliance
with these instructions is important.
• Relevant international and national rules that govern certain aspects of these operations need to
be incorporated into company procedures, plans and instructions. In addition, companies should
refer to helpful technical guides issued by various industry organizations.
All written procedures, instructions or plans should be kept simple and unambiguous. Checklists may
be of considerable help in ensuring that all routines in a particular operational phase are covered. While
recognizing that all shipboard operations can affect safety and pollution prevention, companies may
considered dividing safety related shipboard operations into two categories:
• Special operations.
• Critical operations.
This may be done to prioritize operational planning and allow the maximum level of attention to be paid to
those shipboard operations which are crucial to safety and to the protection of the environment. Special
shipboard operations are those where errors may become apparent only after they have created hazardous
situations or when accidents have occurred. Procedures and instructions for special operations should cover
precautions and checks that aim to correct unsafe practices before accidents occur.
need to adhere to strict instructions in the conduct of critical operations, and satisfactory performance
should be closely monitored.
CHAPTER 3
EFFECTS OF OPERATIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL POLLUTION OF THE
MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Any operational or accidental pollution into the sea is liable to create hazards i.e. human health, harm
living resources and marine life, damage amenities, interfere with other legitimate users of the sea.
Every ship shall be provided with International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate after verifying
the following: fitting of disinfectant sewage system, sewage treatment plant, sewage holding tank and
the presence of pipelines leading to a convenient position on deck for the purpose of discharging to the
shore reception facility.
The sewage from a ship is prohibited to be discharged into sea unless following conditions are complied
with:
More than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land if commented and disinfected and more than 12 nautical
miles if not commented and disinfected; but the ship should be en-route in both the cases and the speed shall
not be less than 4knots and sewage stored in holding tank is not discharged instantaneously but at moderate
rate. A ship is not prohibited from discharging sewage provided she has sewage treatment plant in operation,
the test results are laid down in ISPP Certificate and additionally the effluent does not produce visible
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floating solids nor cause discoloration of the surrounding water. Otherwise the sewage overboard valves are
kept shut in the port and sewage is collected in the holding tank.
International measures for pollution, avoidance and containment of pollutants MARPOL 73/78 is the
convention for prevention of pollution, control of pollution and operational wastes. This international
convention regulates all ships to comply with the applicable rules so as to ensure no pollution and only
controlled pollutants/operational wastes are discharged into the sea which will cause no harm/minimum
harm if introduced. Pollution by sewage from ships.
Sewage means:
1. Drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets and urinals
2. Drainage from medical premises (dispensary, sickbay etc.) via wash basins, wash tubs, and
Scuppers located in such premises
3. Drainage from spaces containing living animals
4. Other waste waters when mixed with the drainage defined above.
5. Pollution from Garbage from ships.
MARPOL Annex V deals with regulations fire the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships.
Garbage means all kinds of victual, domestic and operational waste excluding fresh fish and parts thereof,
generated during the normal operation of the ship. Disposal of Garbage in the special areas is prohibited
which are, all plastics, including but not limited to synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage
bags, and incinerator ashes from plastic products which may contain toxic or heavy metal residues.
Disposal into sea of food wastes in special areas shall be made, as far as practicable, not less than 12 nm
from the nearest land if comminute or ground to less than 25mm.
MARPOL Annex V deals with regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships.
Garbage means all kinds of victual, domestic and operational waste excluding fresh fish and parts
thereof, generated during the normal operation of the ship.
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Garbage Disposal - outside special areas Within 3 miles of the nearest land & in all Waters You cannot
throw anything at all overboard within 3-12 miles Offshore You cannot throw overboard.
Plastic, Dunn age, lining and packing materials that float. Also the following if not ground-to less than
one inch (25mm).
Paper crockery, rags, metal, glass, food. Within 12-25 miles offshore outside 25 miles offshore
You cannot throw overboard. Plastic, Dunn age, lining and packing materials that float.
Control of oil discharge from machinery spaces and oil fuel tanks.
Discharge outside special areas: Any discharge of oil or oily mixtures from ships of 400 tons gross tonnage
and above, other than oil tanker, shall be prohibited except when the following conditions are satisfied:
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New tankers 1/30,000 of the total quantity of the particular cargo of which the residue formed a part and
she has in operation ODMCS.
Any discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixtures from ships of 400 gross tonnages and above shall be
prohibited except when the following conditions are satisfied:
1. The ship is en route
2. The oily mixture is processed through oily filtering equipment
3. The oil content of the effluent without dilution does not exceed 15 ppm
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4. The oily mixture does not originate from cargo pump room bilges on oil tankers,
5. The oily mixture, in case of oil tankers is not mixed with oil, cargo residue
News hips of 400 gross tonnage and above other than oil tankers and in new oil tankers of ISO gross
tonnage and above, no ballast shall be carried in any oil fuel tank. Due to abnormal conditions, render it
necessary to carry ballast water in the fuel tanks which is not clean, such ballast shall be discharged to
shore reception facility. An oil tanker of more than 150 gross tonnage is prohibited from discharging oil
or oily mixture into the sea when she in special areas. Only segregated ballast or clean ballast can be
pumped out in special areas.
prevent air pollution. For controlling the emissions to comply with the applicable regulations, quality of
fuel should be kept in check.
Also emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) & om tankers is to be regulated in ports or terminals.
However this regulation shall only apply to gas carriers and all tankers which are subject to vapour emission
Control. Since incineration on board also cause's air pollution, following shall be prohibited:
Cargo residues of Annex I, II & III and rebated contaminated packing materials, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), garbage containing more than traces of heavy metals and refined petroleum products
containing halogen compounds.
IMO type approved incinerator is PYCs (polyvinyl chlorides) otherwise incineration is prohibited.
Person operating incinerator shall be trained and capable of implementing the guidance provided in
the manufacturer's operating manual.
Booms can contain, exclude or deflect oil floating on the surface of the water. Boom size and style
depend on conditions and method of deployment
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Extensive effort was required to clean the heavy fuel oil from the shoreline.
CHAPTER 4
OBSERVE SAFE WORKING PRACTICES
As a crew member who joins the ship should familiarize himself with ship in general whereby he will
be able to locate himself on board the ship with respect to his living quarters to start with. He should
walk around the ship with an experienced ship mate who has been on board long enough to explain to
him various compartments spaces from Foxed to Stem. Then thereafter, the Safety Officer/or the Officer
designated for the purpose of familiarization should show his muster station, the lifesaving and
firefighting appliances and its location whilst conducting the tour of the ship as soon as possible. The
same should be entered in the familiarization checklist and logged down. Once the basic familiarization
is over, the ship specific familiarization should be carried out for him. A person who has already been
on-board and familiarized, should be able to locate/operate the equipments which are necessary for his
emergency duties and his normal working duties. He should familiarize not only
With duties but also working precautions and safe procedures for doing the same. He should also be
aware of the limitations of any equipment and ways to overcome the same.
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should be displayed in public places for the knowledge of the seafarers. Also in case of any accidental
spilling/contact of dangerous on the body, necessary medical attendance procedures should also be known.
Vessel should be aware of the behaviour of the cargo during its temporary custody under her. Company
procedures and international procedures (like ISGOTT checklist) should be adhered to for prior loading and
discharging cargo. Both loading and unloading should be carried out as per plan and sequence.
or ropes. In some parts of the world, a tug's rope is generally given to the ship. They will be excellent
condition, but may not always be the case. Many people have sustained serious back and other injuries
during manual lifting or carrying heavy items. These operations have resulted in accidents. Seamanship
practices should be strictly observed.
Before employees are instructed to lift or carry by hand, the employer should ensure that the crew member
risks his health and safety. This should be evaluated and due precaution taken and correct working
methods used. When assessing the risks and considering adequate protection, full account should be
taken not only of the characteristics of the load and the physical effort required but also of the working
environment (ship movement, confined space, high or low, temperature, physical obstacles such as steps
or gangway, etc.) and any other relevant factors (e.g. The age and health of the person, the frequency
and duration of the work etc.).
During manual lifting and carrying, the proper procedure to be followed. As a matter of habit one
should size up the load to be lifted, look for sharp edges, protruding nails or splinters, for greasy or
other surfaces which may be difficult to get off the deck.
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The deck or area over which the load is to be moved should be free from obstructions and nut slippery.
A firm and balanced stance should be taken close to the load with legs little apart, not too wide, so that
the lift will be as straight as possible. A crouching position should be adopted, knees bent and back
straight to share that the legs do the work - keeping chin tucked in. The load should be gripped with the
whole of the hand- not fingers only. If there is insufficient room under a heavy load to do this, a piece of
wood should be put underneath first. The size and shape of the load and not goods weight guide
distribution. If this information is not available, a careful trial lift should be made, and if there is any
doubt whether the load can be managed by one-man, help should be provided.
Known Risks:
Lack of sufficient oxygen to support life
Excessive levels of oxygen which increases the danger of fire or explosions
Enclosed space is a space on board the ship which is totally enclosed and not ventilated which has
not been visited for a considerably long period; be it ballast or cargo space having carried oil/chemical/any
cargo or not. This space has a bright chance for having insufficient oxygen to support life. Or has dangerous
gases to prevent the entry. Due to its present state, no enclosed space should be entered without checking it
properly and having complied with laid down company procedures/international rules/regulations.
The space can be entered for any reason; including for normal inspection/for checking
leakages/minor repairs with without involving hot work. The atmosphere in the tank has to be ascertained for
no gas and sufficient oxygen by appropriate gas detectors/indicators. If not, ventilation should be continued
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to bring it up to entry limits. Otherwise, tank can only be entered with SCBA on, which will limit the time
frame. Even in normal case of entry into enclosed space ventilation should be continuously on. It shall never
be stopped. Whoever is entering should enter with proper PPE's, safety torches and walkie talkie
(Intrinsically Safe) for communication. The time frame for communication shall be entered in the enclosed
space entry permit and adhered. There shall be a person kept standby on top of the tank/space for emergency.
SCBA, ELSAEEBD shall be kept standby on top for any eventual emergency. Communication shall be
established with the bridge informing the time of entry.
If entry into the tank with SCBA, bottle pressure should be noted down. Nobody to enter alone
inside an enclosed space. There shall be a heaving line kept standby on top for lowering picking up things.
Since any particular pocket of the tank can have some dangerous gases and since many accidents have
happened in the past in enclosed spaces, care should be taken to enter or exit safely. Only by following safe
procedures, a safe operation can be conducted. Before entering an enclosed space, Entry permit shall be
signed by the team leader of the group entering the space, responsible person entering the tank and the
Master. No permit is valid for more than 24 hours. Again the permit shall not be continued for the next day
even if less than 24 hours. The entry shall be abandoned if unable to meet the requirements of the permit or
should the conditions necessitate an evacuation because of violation, If the ventilation cannot be continued,
the persons already inside the tank should retreat.
How to work
Hot work is an involvement of a spark whether welding or cutting. This is a dangerous work, which
should be taken up with extreme caution, particularly onboard a tanker. However, it is not that this hot
work is never being done onboard, only thing is that precautions are to be observed for safe operation of
the same. Before doing any hot work, the location is searched thoroughly for breaking any formation of
fire triangle. Also, adjacent spaces are checked for any containment of
Flammable atmosphere or any loose materials, which can cause fire when hot work is on. All
fire safety measures are taken including keeping the fire hose and fire extinguisher ready before starting
the work. Hot work permit is obtained prior commencement of any hot work and the check list is filled
up and signed by responsible officer. Generally, only on board tankers the hot work is not allowed on
deck. It can be done in engine room workshop and in engine room with the permission of Chief
Engineer. Hot work in any other place needs to get the company's permission. The permit is issued to
the ship once all the checklists of the hot work are complied with. Master is responsible for overall
safety.
The necessary hot work checklist can be seen from ISGOTT. This permit is to be kept near the
place of work so that persons are aware of its validity. Hot work permit is issued only during the
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working hours and should not be used on different dates, Every time different hot work permit has to be
sought. Before doing hot work, it is better to call for a meeting among the involved team explaining that
the effectiveness of the work depends on the safety of everyone and following safe procedure. Once the
work is completed, all the items should be withdrawn and the person who is supervising the work
should sign the withdrawal of hot work items in the permit and keep it as a reference for the future.
Working aloft
Working aloft means having to work above some deck level high up in the air, say on the funnel or mast or
bridge front. This work does not expose the worker to the sea, However he has to take adequate precautions
from falling on deck and injuring/dying. The work should be planned and necessary equipments are rigged
(say bosun's chair/stage). Persons who are going to work sitting on the above equipment should wear PPE's
and life line/belt with harness secured to a strong point. So, in case even if the stage/bosun's chair loses its
balance, the person can still cling onto the lifebelt. The stage/chair is always tended by proper gantlines tied
to it. Persons who are attending to adjust the height, should do it slowly/gradually and not suddenly. A
heaving line also kept standby for picking up/lowering equipments for intended task for those doing the job.
This work shall not be carried out without proper inspection by the officer concerned and Master's approval.
The permit shall be signed and the workers' signatures obtained and filed.
Engine Room Watch keeping and maintenance
Normally a senior engineer officer will be in charge with a junior engineer and one or more ratings to
assist him during the watch. All the watch keepers must be familiar with their duties safety, and survival
equipments. They should also have knowledge of firefighting equipments with respect to location and
operation. They should able to distinguish between the different types of alarms and the actions to be
taken for the same. They must understand the different communication systems and know how to
muster assistance in case of dire necessities. They must also be knowledgeable about the various escape
routes from engine room.
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At the beginning of the watch, a good round must be taken around the entire engine room and related
areas like the steering flat, the refrigeration compartments and the air conditioning compartments. The
current operation parameters must be checked with the entries in the engine room logbook during the
last watch. The watch keepers should check and find out if there are any special or standing instructions
from the chief engineer regarding any particular machinery or work in progress. The levels of the tanks
containing fuel, water, slops and ballast should be noted and the level of bilge at various engine room
sides should be noted. The operating mode of the equipments and the state of readiness of available
standby equipments must be checked.
At appropriate time intervals inspection should be made of the main propulsion plant, auxiliary
machinery, purifier spaces, compressor parts, the shaft tunnel if any, and steering gear compartments. Any
routine adjustments can be made. Malfunction or breakdown should be noted, reported and corrected. All the
pipelines and the systems must be checked for leaks and local indicating instruments should be frequently
checked. Bridge orders must be promptly carried out and record any changes in speed or direction should be
noted. Any breakdowns or holdups that could affect stability or navigation should be brought to the notice of
the bridge with the Master and the Chief Engineer informed. Immediately
During the watch, a log or record will be made of all the operating parameters of pressures,
temperatures, RPM, voltage, current etc., of the Main, the Auxiliary and ancillary equipments. Fuel
consumption, available bunker quantities, lubricating oil tank levels, consumption of various types of
lube oil, etc must be recorded. A gradual fall in levels can be accepted but any abrupt either fall in level
or increase in level must be investigated to see if there is any leakages from the system to the
atmosphere or from the atmosphere into the system. The engine exhaust temperatures should read fairly
uniform. Various pressures and temperatures values for cooling water and lubricating oil should be near
the maker's recommendation. Any abnormal variation must be investigated and corrective action should
be taken. Aux equipments like the generator, the fresh water generator, the boiler and the purifiers must
be given due importance. Air compressors and air bottles must also be checked frequently and drained
of water and oil. The boiler water level, the boiler pressure, the condenser, the feed tank, the feed pumps
also should be given due importance. Any leakages should be stopped immediately. The running hours
of the various machineries must also be progressively recorded as this determines the next overhaul
activity. The water from the settling tanks and the service tanks must be drained regularly. Soot
Blowing of the boiler should be done after informing the bridge to determine if the direction of the wind
flow is favourable.
Good housekeeping is very essential for the upkeep and maintenance of the engine room. Leaks of
anything like fuel, diesel, lube oil, water, and seawater steam should be avoided as they fill up the bilges.
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The bilges must be kept low and the oily water separator should be utilized for lowering the bilges and
for pumping out. At no time, not even a drop of oil, should be pumped overboard either intentionally or
inadvertently. The trash and the rubbish like oil soaked rags or cotton wastes must be segregated in
different coloured bins with lids and burnt through the incinerator. The emergency equipments like the
emergency generator, the emergency compressor, the emergency fire pump; etc should be frequently
tried out and kept in a state of readiness.
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CHAPTER 5
UNDERSTAND ORDERS AND BE UNDERSTOOD IN RELATION TO SHIPBOARD DUTIES
Fundamentals of communication
No group or industry can exist without communication. The communication is transference of meaning
among its members. It is only through transmitting meaning from one person to another that information
and ideas can be conveyed. Communication however is more than merely imparting meaning. It
must be understood as well. An idea no matter how great is useless until it is transmitted by one
person and is understood by others.
Thus, Communication = Transference + understanding of meaning. Thus, in practice effective
communication is a basic pre-requisite for the attainment of organization goal. The process of
communications involves
1. Sender 2. Receiver 3. Feedback 4. Media of communication The process of communication can
take two different forms.
1. One-way communication Restrict the individual involvement by only allowing one person to
transmit all the information and thus, placing the other person at receiving ends.
2. Two-way communication
Allow both the sender and receiver to get actively involved in the communication Types of communication
1. Verbal communication 3. Written communication 2. Non-verbal communication 4.
Audiovisual communication
2. Methods of Communication
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Barriers in communication
Due to improper channels of communication a sender might manipulate information so that the
receiver may see it favourably. This process is called filtering and is a major barrier to effective
communication. This can also happen due to language problem when more nationalities are involved.
Containing and fighting the emergency, at the seat of the incident. Chief Off/ Second Eng-
in charges/standby dependent upon the location.
Action to be taken on discovering potential emergency including fire, collision, foundering and ingress
of water into the ship
Fire:
Emergency alarm shall be sounded in case if auto generated fire alarm or MCP (Manual Call Point) is not
raised.
All persons to muster at the muster point. Once the emergency is declared by the Master, immediately
the firefighting begins. All the electrical circuit is isolated. Ventilation serving the area is cut off all the
openings to the area are shut. Any fuel supply is also cut off. Emergency fire pump is started and the
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boundary cooling begins. Persons who are ready with SCBA (in case of deck fire CIO is in-charge with
2IE as standby and vice versa in case of ER fire) should enter the compartment with the charged hose to
detect the fire. The location, the nature and the degree of fire should be ascertained and the fire should
be fought accordingly. Appropriate extinguishing methods are to be followed to quench the fire.
Meantime, the boats and rafts are kept ready for launching. Once the fire is controlled, nobody to enter
the compartment immediately and the boundary cooling should continue till the normal ambient
temperature is achieved in the entire area to prevent re-ignition. In case the fire is uncontrollable and
ship cannot be saved in the opinion of the Master, he should abandon the ship and save the lives of all
onboard.
Collision, Foundering and Ingress of water into the ship: If the ship has collided and remain stuck to the
other ship, both the vessels should not try to pull out of other as this may cause flooding. Own vessel
should ascertain the survival capability and take action accordingly. The stability of the vessel should be
ascertained and the damage should be estimated. The ingress of water in any compartment should be
calculated to check whether the vessel has sufficient reserve buoyancy to withstand this. Since the
collision can lead to fire, all the firefighting precautions should also be observed. Also antipollution
precautions should be observed. The need to pump out water and the ability to cope up with the
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situation should be established. The rate of pumping out has to be more than ingress for positive
stability. Damage stability has to be ascertained. All the authorities should be appraised about the
situation/incident.
Drills and Muster: Drills are rehearsals to combat disasters, the object of all drill is preparedness. A
good crew is ready to deal with any calamity that can occur on their ship, but they only gain this ability
if they have rehearsed their emergency duties frequently and under conditions as close as possible to
reality. Every drill should be made as authentic as possible. Persons should assemble at their muster
point for head count, before an emergency is actually, fully declared. Every person should know his
muster point and muster duties.
Value and need of drills and training: Each man attending the drill should be asked questions about his
duties; the tasks assigned to another crewmember and directed to demonstrate some emergency
procedures. For example: if a pump room rescue drill is scheduled, explaining about the procedure is
not enough. It is appropriate dummy should be placed beforehand in the bottom of the pump room,
permitting the crew the
opportunity to rig up the equipment and rescue the dummy. Other drills should be created according the
special hazards of the ship. The concerns
Raised during on-board safety meetings, or scenarios derived from actual casualties on similar
vessels should be taken into account while carrying out drills. To make the drills more realistic:
1. Certain personnel, equipment, or areas of the ship can be declared 'out of bounds for purpose of
the drill.
2. Alternative means of communication should be verified operational.
3. Times required for each type of drill should be recorded and records/charts displayed of
improvements in time achieved.
Every drill should be conducted with all the seriousness of an actual event. Drills need not be
restricted to the official monthly/weekly event. Every officer should conduct discussions or mini drills
of emergency procedures with his watch as time permits. He should ask his watch members to describe
how they would deal with an oil spill event, a fire in paint locker or a man overboard event.
Records are essential to ensure that each employee completes all required training and that
training progress is documented. These records can have additional value in helping to defend the owner
against injury and pollution claims. They demonstrate that the seamen were given the training necessary
to recognize and avoid the hazards of their employment and that a conscientious program of anti-
pollution indoctrination was followed.
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Vessel training records should be reviewed by the Superintendent/DP of ISM ashore to determine the
kind of training needed on board. Training records should be retained as proof of training conducted.
Training for engineering personnel should include operation of the fire pumps, firefighting foam
and carbon dioxide systems, emergency procedures, manual starting and connection of the emergency
generator and the details of the bilge and ballast system. A vessel's readiness to deal with any
emergency is a function of the level of training the crew has received. If training is slighted or
neglected, a small emergency can be mishandled into a major disaster.
Knowledge of escape routes and internal communication and alarm system
Escape routes: In the past, during emergencies onboard a ship, most of the lives that had been lost are
due to the fact that they get trapped within the ship, being unaware of the escape routes, to the nearest
muster boat stations. Therefore, it is mandatory for every person joining a ship, to learn emergency
escape plans, at the first available opportunity.
Onboard every ship, escape routes, other than the normal ladders and alleyways exists. Special escape
routes ways are provided for use during emergency. These routes are indicated by specific large arrow
signs, normally red in colour, on the bulkheads along the entire route. Specific signs "Escape Way" also
supplement these arrow markings.
Water tight doors and citadels, provided onboard a ship for emergency exit are also similarly marked. This
varies from ship to ship depending on their types, and are easily identifiable even by a new comer onboard.
Escape routes are to be marked with retro reflective tapes and luminescent which are visible even in the
darkness. This shall be pasted (an adhesive tape) at a height of not more than 300mm from the deck so
that it will be clearly visible with thick smoke when a person crawl.
Internal Communications
There are various means and type of internal communication systems, provided onboard a ship for both
normal and emergency communications.
The following are a few examples:
a. Intrinsically safe magneto telephone systems;
b. Voice powered telephone system;
c. Voice pipes;
d. Fixed intercoms between strategic points
e. Normal intercommunications telephone system;
f. Handheld radios;
g. Public announcement systems.
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These systems are so positioned, that they provide communication between strategic positions, such as,
Bridge, engine room, radio room, control room, cargo control room, machinery control room,
machinery spaces, generator room, galleys, steering gear compartment, store rooms, wheel house, boat
stations etc. The first three systems mentioned are so vital, besides the handheld radios, that they play a
significant role, even in the event of ship's power failure, during emergencies.
CHAPTER 6
EFFECTIVE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS ON-BOARD SHIP
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Attitudes:
If we decide to have Negative Attitudes, then we are responsible for the results of our attitudes. If we
decide to have positive and supportive attitudes towards ourselves, our work and our jobs, then we are
in a position to enjoy the rewards of such attitudes.
Negative Thoughts/Action
Angry, Lazy, Critical, Careless, Egotistical Stressful, Greedy, Dishonest etc. If they become habitual,
they result in the breakdown of physical health and eventual external failure.
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Indiscipline arises due to failure of training and motivating system of the company or due to the
employee's failure to measure up to the company's expectations. The manager should intervene at the
right time when the employee commits misconduct or when his efficiency declines.
Team Work
Every officer should see his subordinates as a team of which he is the team leader. Every officer has the
professional responsibility of striving to obtain the maximum performance from his team. A high-
performance leader applies the following basic principles of human relations to gain respect and
motivate performance:
• He is supportive, friendly and helpful (not critical, hostile or remote)
• He shows confidence in his subordinates, which leads both leader and subordinate to have
high expectations of their performance
• He sees that subordinates are well trained; whenever possible he helps them to get promoted.
• He periodically assesses carry proficiency and coaches and assists personnel whose performance
is below standard.
• He is a leader who develops his subordinates into a working team with high group loyalty.
• He achieves this by using participation and other group leadership practices.
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CHAPTER 7
UNDERSTAND AND TAKE NECESSARY ACTIONS TO CONTROL FATIGUE
controlled drug which causes, or contributes to unacceptable job behaviour should require the seafarer
to be excused it on duty until such time he is repatriated, or treated. The suggested list of substances to
be prohibited should include but not limited to marijuana, cocaine opiates, phencyclidine (PCP) and
amphetamines and their derivatives. In this regard, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has
published guidelines on recognition and detection of drug trafficking and abuse entitled. Drug
Trafficking and Drug Abuse Guidelines for: Owners and Masters on Recognition and Detection.
Company policy should provide for control of onboard alcohol distribution and monitoring of
consumption. This policy should support the principle that officers and ratings should not impair by
alcohol while performing schedule duties,
OCIMF recommends that officer and ratings observe a period of abstinence form alcohol prior
to scheduled watch-keeping duty. This may be either a fixed period, such as the 4 hours required by the
USCG, or minimum period of hour of abstinence for each unit of alcohol consumed (refer to section 3.4
for examples of approximately alcohol unit conversions). Whichever method is used to determine the
abstinence period, the objective should always be to ensure that prior to going on schedule duty, the
blood alcohol content of the seafarer is theoretically zero. Officers and ratings should be aware that
local regulations might be in place and where they exceed these guidelines.
Recognizing that all seafarers must be able to respond at any time to an emergency situation, the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) is considering including guidance to administrations on
maximum permissible blood alcohol content (BAC) permitted whilst on board as (0.04%),
In the interest of health and safety, seafarers should be actively encouraged not to exceed
consumption levels, which could affect long-term health. Information should be provided to seafarers on
alcohol consumption in relation to impairment, its impact on behaviour and health, and availability of
rehabilitation programs. OCIMF is firmly of the opinion that it is the best interest of all sectors of the
maritime industry to positively respond to these guidelines and thus work to ensure a safe workplace for
seafarers and to protect the safety and well-being of the public and the environment.
• Any consumption of Alcohol by persons onboard shall not result in blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) of more than 0.04% by weight at any time by individuals.
• Officers and watch keeping ratings will not consume any alcoholic beverages 4 hours
immediately preceding their watch standing duty.
• No alcoholic beverages are to be served on the dining table during meal hours.
• Chronic Coughing. Throat Cancer, Colds, Pneumonia.
• Heart Failure, Anaemia, Tuberculosis.
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• Numbness, Tingling, Neuritis, Trembling hands, Loss of Balance, Loss of sensation in the hands.
• Impotence, Poor Sexual Performance, Liver Damage, Ulcers, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Stomach
Hemorrhage, Kidney Impairment, Pancreatic Damage.
• Danger 36 Units (men), if drinking exceeds these levels, damage to health is likely. It is
important to reduce your drinking.
• If you have difficulty cutting down, your company will offer confidential advice, If it proves
necessary your company will arrange counselling and treatment - again, in confidence.
Effects on health
1. Drinking to excess damages the liver,
2. It kills brain cells and can damage the nervous system.
3. It can cause high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes and increases the danger of heart attacks. It
can, also lead to cancer of the mouth and throat.
4. It takes the body one hour to get rid of unit of alcohol from the bloodstream and there is no way of
speeding up the process. So if you drink a pint of beer, there will be alcohol in your blood for two
hours afterwards.
5. If there is alcohol in your blood, it will affect your work performance and make accidents more
likely.
So to be safe, there should be no alcohol in your blood when you report for duty. It is brought to
attention of all persons onboard that 2 units of alcohol consumed within the hour will result in BAC of
0.04% by weight.
Approximately Alcohol Unit Conversions - I unit of alcohol may be defined as follows:
All ships personnel should take particular care when cleaning themselves to prevent dermatitis
and skin infections. The use of specialist hand cleaners should be actively encouraged. This is
particularly the case with catering staff working in galleys, mess rooms, saloons, and pantries. Hands
and fingernails must be cleaned prior to the handling or preparation of foodstuffs. This is especially
important after visiting toilets, handling galley waste, and garbage, Cleaning and handling cooked
foods. All catering staff should wear the correct personal safety equipment and such equipment and
clothing should be maintained in a clean and tidy condition. Utensil cleanliness is imperative. Cracked
or damaged china wear should be destroyed.
Personnel working in catering areas should wear anti-slip steel toe capped boots and never use
slippers, sandals, training shoes etc. All spills must be cleared up immediately.
Another area in which many injuries occur is refrigerated spaces. These spaces should be well
lit, fitted with duckboards on the deck and personnel alarms. Doors should be secures open during stn
ring and the in-room door release mechanisms tested regularly. Refrigerant leakage detectors should be
fitted or personnel entering refrigerated spaces should be issued with portable detectors. Items stored in
fridge should be secured to avoid injury in heavy weather; frozen meat for example, can be very heavy.
Persons entering refrigerated spaces should wear suitable thermal clothing including gloves, hats and
thermal suits to prevent frostbite and exposure to extreme cold and should advise a responsible officer
prior to entering a refrigerated space.
In the galley there is always a serious risk of burns, scalds and other injuries, and this is a
problem that can be exaggerated when the vessel is riding in a seaway. Range bars, or fiddles as they
are often known, should be fitted on galley to safe levels. Extreme care should be taken when removing
large dishes and similar heavy items from hot ovens tidy. All galley equipment galley ranges, bakers
ovens, deep fat fryers, toasters and similar appliances should all be isolated at the end of each working
day. High standards of personal hygiene for all ship's staff should be maintained and all clothing should
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be regularly washed. The use of oil soaked boiler suits and similar working clothes should be avoided.
When washing clothing ensure all soap is washed out thoroughly rinsed. Infections/diseases such as
ringworm dermatitis and "dhobi rash" can result if this simple step is not taken.
DRUGS
Any seafarer who has used drugs other than on approved medical grounds or been involved in the
possession or distribution of drugs will be subject to company disciplinary procedures & liable to
summary dismissal from employment.
This sanction will be applied if an offence is committed while the seafarers are employed. Whether on
or off a crew agreement on board or ashore. In most countries drug abuse is regarded as a very serious
offence. In some, the penalty is death, in others a long prison sentence. The presence of drugs on board
can also lead to detention of the ship an heavy fines.
So don't be tempted by drugs. They can lead to ill health and death, cause accidents and cost you your
job and career.
DRUGS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
It is estimated that there are in excess of 10,000 regular abuses of “hard drugs” such as heroin and
cocaine in the UK. There are also many thousands of other abusers of the so-called: soft drugs lide
cannabis and amphetamines.
Drug user comes from every social group & every type of background. Abuse of any drug can lead to
addiction & overdoses of “hard drug” can lead to death. Intravenous drug abuse is also well recognized
as a source of transmission of the Hepatitis B and AIDS viruses. Contrary to widely held belief there are
no safe drugs. They can all lead to physical and mental deterioration, affect behavior adversely and
impair the ability to work.
This can jeopardize personal safety, the safety of the others, the ship & the environment.
The most commonly abused drugs are:
DEPRESSANTS
Depress the central nervous system.
Opioids: heroin (II, smack, junk), morphine, codeine, opium, methadone, path dine. Cannabis (grass,
pot, weed, hash, dope, joint, refer) Barbiturates (downers, barbs). Tranquillizers (tranks); Valium,
Librium
STIMULANTS
Stimulate the central nervous system.
Cocaine (coke, snow, crack). Amphetamines (speed, uppers, whizz, blues, sulpha)
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HALLUCINOGENS
Alter moods and perception.
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, acid) Magic mushrooms.
SOLVENTS
Alter moods and perception
Solvents of glue, paint, nail varnish remover, dry cleaning fluids etc.
practices & environment, establish safe guard against all identified risks & continuously improve safety
management skills of personnel for emergencies.
CAUSES OF ACCIDENT
Avoidable Causes:
§ Carelessness - Lack of proper attitude
§ Unawareness - Lack of instructions
§ Ignorance - Lack of onboard training
§ Fatigue - Lack of sleep, rest
§ Machinery failure - Mostly is avoidable through routine inspection & prevention maintenance
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Unavoidable Causes:
§ ACT OF GOD - Lightening, bad weather etc.
§ Lack of Control of Operation:
a) Unsafe actions:
1) Procedures not followed, 2) Shortcuts taken, 3) Poor attitude
b) Productivity only concerned
1) Too busy for safety, 2) Safety only in words, 3) Safety during stock period only.
c) Inadequate onboard training
1) Poor or incomplete instructions, 2) Insufficient written procedures, 3) No job safety
analysis
d) Poor work environment
1) Unsafe conditions, 2) Inadequate & improper tools/equipments, 3) Poor house
keeping, 4) Inadequate rust, vapor, noise control
CHAPTER 8
MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION (MLC 2006)
8. The table referred to in paragraph 7 of this standard shall be established in a standardized format in
the working language or languages of the ship and in English.
9. Each Member shall require that records of seafarer’s daily hours of work or of their daily hours, of
rest be maintained to allow monitoring of compliance with paragraphs 2 to 7 inclusive of this Standard.
The seafarer shall receive a copy of the records pertaining to them which shall be endorsed by the
master, or a person authorized by the master, and by the seafarers.
10. Nothing in this Standard shall be deemed to impair the right of the master of a ship to require a
seafarer to perform any hours of work necessary for the immediate safety of the ship, persons on board
or cargo, or for the purpose of giving assistance to other ships or persons in distress at sea. Accordingly,
the master may suspend the schedule of hours of work or hours of rest and require a seafarer to perform
any hours of work necessary until the normal situation has been restored. As soon as practicable after
the normal situation has been restored, the master shall ensure that any seafarer who have performed
work in as scheduled rest period are provided with an adequate period of rest.
• Seafarers recruited or placed shall not work on a ship unless they are trained or certified as
competent or otherwise found qualified to perform their duties. Seafarers shall hold the
documents necessary for the job concerned.
seafarer acknowledges that they have freely entered into such agreement, with a sufficient
understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
2.2 Payment of wages
• Shall ensure that a the seafarer is given a monthly statement of payments due, amounts paid,
including wages, additional payments and rate of exchange used in a currency different from the
one agreed to. Payments shall be made at no greater than monthly intervals.
• Master shall prepare the monthly account of wages with the deduction to be presented to the
seafarer. Seafarer shall request for part or entire wages to be sent ashore by means of an
allotment.
• No deduction shall me made for retaining employment.
• Seafarers shall be able to transmit all or part of their earnings to their families by bank transfers.
2.3 Hours of work or rest
• Hours of work and rest are regulated by the Master.
• Max hours of work and min hours of rest are defined. Max hours of work 14 hrs in any 24 hour
period. 72 hours in a 7 day period. Min hours of rest are 10 hrs in a 24 hour period and 77
hours a week. Hours of rest may be divided in to no more than 2 periods of which one shall be
at least 6 hours and intervals between 2 consecutive rest periods shall not exceed 14 hrs.
• Any drills required to be conducted shall be undertaken to minimize disturbance to rest periods.
• Shipboard working arrangement shall be posted in an easily accessible position which contains a
schedule for service at sea and service in port and the maximum hours of work or the minimum
hours of rest.
2.4 Entitlement to leave
• All full-time employees are entitled to paid annual leave for each completed year of service and
part-time employees have a pro-rata entitlement.
• The amount of paid annual leave or, where applicable, the formula used for calculating it.
2.5 Repatriation
Seafarer’s are entitled to repatriation at no cost to themselves in the following circumstances
(a) if the seafarers’ employment agreement expires while they are abroad;
(b) when the seafarers’ employment agreement is terminated:
(i) by the shipowner; or
(ii) by the seafarer for justified reasons; and also
(c) when the seafarers are no longer able to carry out their duties under their employment
agreement or cannot be expected to carry them out in the specific circumstances.
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• No seafarer under the age of 18 shall be employed or engaged or work as a ship’s cook.
• Qualification requirements for Cooks:
• Served at sea for a minimum period of 6 months.
• Passed an examination or equivalent examination at an approved training course for cooks.
• On ships operating with a prescribed manning of less than ten which, by virtue of the size of the
crew or the trading pattern, may not be required by the competent authority to carry a fully
qualified cook, anyone processing food in the galley shall be trained or instructed in areas
including food and personal hygiene as well as handling and storage of food on board ship.
• No seafarer under the age of 18 shall be employed or engaged or work as a ship’s cook.
Title 4: Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection
4.1 Medical care on-board ship and ashore
• Seafarers are covered under P&I for medical care whilst they are on board. When on leave they
are covered under a comprehensive medical insurance.
• Medical care as defined above includes:
• Medical care on board ships, ships shall be equipped with a medical chest, medical equipment
and medical guide. Ships that do have a qualified doctor, one of the seafarer shall be assigned
the duty of being in charge of medical care and administer medicines. He/she shall be trained in
accordance with STCW convention as amended. Such persons shall undergo a refresher course
every 5 years.
• Seafarer shall have the right to visit a qualified medical doctor or dentist during port calls, where
practicable. Such visits and medical care shall be provided to the seafarer free of cost.
• Company shall ensure by a prearranged system that medical advice by radio or satellite
communication to ships at sea, including specialist advice, is available 24 hours a day.
• Medical chest should be inspected at regular intervals not exceeding 12 months, by competent
authority.
• Ship-owners shall provide financial security to assure compensation in the event of the death or
long-term disability of seafarers due to an occupational injury, illness or hazard, as set out in
national law, the seafarers’ employment agreement or collective agreement;
• Ship owners shall be liable to defray the expense of medical care, including medical treatment
and the supply of the necessary medicines and therapeutic appliances, and board and lodging
away from home until the sick or injured seafarer has recovered, or until the sickness or
incapacity has been declared of a permanent character.
• Ship-owners shall be liable to pay the cost of burial expenses in the case of death occurring on
board or ashore during the period of engagement.
4.3 Health and safety protection and accident prevention
• Not Applicable. No procedure/system required, but guidelines given by the flag state should be
available onboard. Flag specific requirements to be verified.
• Flag States can implement different requirements and those may be more detailed when it comes
to how to handle health and safety aspects.
4.4 Access to shore-based welfare facilities
• Where such facilities exist, access shall be granted.
• NA to ship owner.
4.5 Social security
• Ship owner shall ensure that the seafarer is protected for medical care, sickness benefit,
unemployment benefit, old age benefit, employment injury benefit, family benefit, maternity
benefit, invalidity benefit and survivor benefit. Social Security policies shall be in accordance
with the applicable flag state requirements of the vessel.
• Flag specific requirements are to be followed.
• To file a complaint directly to the Master and where they consider it necessary, the Ship
Manager or their designee for conciliation.
• To file a complaint to an external authority such as; respective Flag State Administration
representative, Port State Control official, Seafarer labour organization or a seafarer welfare
assistance service.
• Be provided with a record of the complaint and associated conclusions.
• If the head of department cannot resolve the grievance within five (5) days then the seafarer may
wish to refer the complaint to the master who should handle the matter personally.
• In accordance with respective Flag State Administration guidelines specific to complaint
procedures, company shall ensure:
• Relevant contact information is displayed for the Office of the Flag State Administrator,
Competent
• Authority of the seafarer’s country of residence and the name of the person(s) on board ship
who can, on a confidential basis, provide seafarers with impartial advice on their complaint and
assist them in following the complaint procedures. This information shall be displayed in a
prominent location onboard the vessel.
• Ensure any complaints are resolved at the lowest possible level but where necessary are elevated
to the next level and investigated to the appropriate degree.
Masters Responsibilities;
Should a complaint reach the level of the Master, the Master shall;
• Conduct an investigation or inquiry, as appropriate;
• Reference the terms and conditions of employment; and
• Seek the advice of the Ship Manager or his/her designee where necessary.
• If the Master cannot reconcile the complaint, the matter should be formally referred within 10
days to the Ship Manager, or his/her designee, who must conciliate the matter in accordance
with the terms and conditions of employment.
• If a matter is to the prejudice of the Master, then a seafarer should present his/her case directly
to the Ship Manager or his/her designee.
• Until such time as the Companies decision has been received, the Master’s decision shall be
binding on all parties.
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