Shipboard Alarms Overview

Study Notes

Shipboard Alarms

General Alarm
- Signaled by 7 short rings of the ship's bell followed by a long ring, or 7 short blasts on the ship's whistle followed by one long blast.
- Activated from the Navigation Bridge.
- All crew muster at their designated stations.
- The Officer on Watch (OOW) announces the emergency over the PA system.
Man Overboard Alarm
- Signaled by 3 long rings of the ship's bell and 3 long blasts of the ship's whistle.
- Activated from the Navigation Bridge.
- The OOW will announce the name of the crew member who fell overboard and the side of the ship they fell from (port or starboard).
- The OOW will initiate a Williamson turn or another suitable maneuver.
- One crew squad prepares to launch the MOB boat or lifeboat.
- The Support Squad retrieves the first aid kit.
- Another crew squad prepares to recover the MOB boat or lifeboat once the search is complete.
Fire Alarm
- Signaled by a continuous ringing of the ship's bell or a continuous blast of the ship's horn.
- Activated from the Navigation Bridge, Engine Control Room, each deck in the accommodation area, the Fire Station, and various locations inside the engine room.
- All crew muster at their designated stations.
- The OOW announces the location of the fire over the PA system.
- If the fire is on deck or in the accommodation, Squad 2 (mostly deck crew) makes the initial entry.
- If the fire is in the machinery space, Squad 1 (mostly engine crew) makes the initial entry.
- The Support Squad provides boundary cooling and the first aid kit.
- The Chief Officer (C/O) is the Site Leader if the fire is on deck or in the accommodation.
- The Chief Engineer (C/E) is the Site Leader if the fire is in the machinery space.
- The Site Leader maintains communication with the bridge.
Machinery Space Alarm
- Indicates a malfunction in the engine room machinery.
- The problem can be identified in the Engine Control Room.
Abandon Ship Alarm
- The general alarm is sounded.
- All crew muster at their emergency stations.
- The Master or the Chief Officer gives the verbal order to abandon ship.
Cargo Space CO2 Alarm System
- Indicates that the fixed fire-fighting system in the cargo spaces has been activated.
Navigational Alarm
- Activated when navigational equipment or lights malfunction.
- An alarm sounds in a panel indicating the specific system that has failed.
Machinery Space CO2 Alarm System
- Indicates that the fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system in the machinery space has been activated.
- A distinct audible and visual alarm differentiates it from other alarms.
Ship Security Alarm System
- A silent alarm system used during pirate attacks.
- The signal is transmitted via satellite to coastal authorities around the world.