Engine Room Rating Duties During a Fire

Engine Room Rating Duties During a Fire

Engine room ratings have specific roles during a shipboard fire. These responsibilities encompass both the prevention of fires and the management of contained fires within their respective engine rooms. In this context, a typical engine room is defined by its purpose of supporting propulsion machinery essential to the safe operation and maneuverability of the vessel. Here's what ratings need to know when it comes to dealing with fires in engine rooms.

Prevention of Fires

Regular Inspections

Ratings should perform regular inspections of all equipment within the engine room to ensure they are functioning properly. This includes maintaining firefighting appliances such as portable extinguishers, hydrants, foam branches, etc., in good working order. Additionally, any fire protection system components must be tested regularly. This inspection frequency can vary depending on factors like the type of equipment and operational conditions.

Documentation

Documentation related to these tasks is crucial. Records should detail maintenance performed, date of last service, and results of testing. This information is critical for auditing purposes and helps demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

Management of Contained Fires

In case of a contained fire within an engine room, several steps should be taken:

Alerting Personnel

Ratings must alert personnel via the ship's general alarm system, indicating which compartment has been affected.

Initiating Firefighting Measures

Upon receiving the alarm, personnel must initiate firefighting measures according to the established emergency procedures. For example, they may deploy handheld fire extinguishers appropriate to the type of fuel involved if the fire is confined to a small area.

Evacuation

If the fire escalates beyond control, ratings should follow established evacuation routes immediately. They should activate the nearest manual release valve (MRV) closest to them on reaching the designated station before proceeding along the escape route. Once outside, they should move away from the danger zone towards the muster stations.

Training & Drills

Regular training and drills are necessary to familiarize crew members with emergency response procedures and equipment. It helps them understand their role in detecting and reporting potential hazards, tackling initial stages of incidents, and conducting evacuations effectively.