Alarms on Ships PDF

Alarms on Ships During Emergencies General Alarm The general emergency alarm on a ship consists of seven short rings followed by one long ring, either using the bell or the ship horn. This alert signals an emergency situation, such as a fire, collision, grounding, or any event potentially requ...

Alarms on Ships During Emergencies General Alarm The general emergency alarm on a ship consists of seven short rings followed by one long ring, either using the bell or the ship horn. This alert signals an emergency situation, such as a fire, collision, grounding, or any event potentially requiring the crew to abandon ship. The general alarm can be activated from the navigation bridge. Once triggered, crew members follow the duties and procedures listed in the muster list and proceed to their assigned muster stations. Crew Actions Upon Hearing the General Alarm: Go to assigned muster stations. Listen to the Public Address (PA) system for further information on the emergency type (usually announced by the Officer of the Watch, Chief Officer, or Captain). After identifying the emergency, regroup according to squad assignments and take corrective actions as per the muster plan. Fire Alarm on the Ship When a fire is detected on board, the crew must raise the alarm by either pressing the nearest fire switch or shouting "FIRE FIRE FIRE" loudly and continuously. The fire alarm is characterized by the continuous ringing of the ship’s bell or the sounding of the horn. The fire alarm should last for a minimum of 10 seconds with continuous blasts of the horn or bell. On most vessels, the fire signal is a continuous sound from the alarm bell. If the master decides to release the crew from fire stations, the general alarm will be sounded three times, followed by three short blasts from the ship’s whistle. Crew Actions Upon Hearing the Fire Alarm: Report to the designated fire station. Confirm the location of the fire. Carry out the duties assigned in the muster list according to the team’s responsibilities. ONLINE MARINER PROJECT PAGE 1  Alarms on Ships During Emergencies Man Overboard Alarm: Incidents where a crew member working on the ship’s side or a passenger on a cruise ship falls overboard are not uncommon. When such an event occurs, the man overboard (MOB) alarm is triggered. The MOB alarm consists of three long rings from the ship’s internal bell to alert the crew, followed by three long blasts from the ship’s whistle to warn nearby vessels. In addition, a man overboard signal, which includes both light and smoke, is often placed near the lifebuoy on the bridge. When deployed into the water, it emits light and smoke to help the ship’s crew or nearby vessels locate the person overboard. Crew Actions Upon Hearing the MOB Alarm: Follow the standard procedures for responding to a man overboard situation. Abandon Ship Alarm When the situation on board becomes uncontrollable and the ship is no longer safe for the crew, the master issues a verbal command to abandon ship via the Personal Addressing (PA) system to the crew station in charge. The abandon ship alarm consists of more than six short blasts followed by one long blast from the ship’s whistle, and the same signal is repeated on the general alarm bell. This signal resembles the general alarm, and upon hearing it, everyone proceeds to the emergency muster station, where the master or Chief Officer will give a verbal order to abandon the ship. Crew Actions Upon Hearing the Abandon Ship Alarm: Bring your lifejacket or immersion suit to the designated muster station. Take any additional items (such as blankets, rations, or water) as required by the muster list. Avoid using longer routes or routes that go through the accommodation area. Wait for the master’s command to abandon the ship. ONLINE MARINER PROJECT PAGE 2  Alarms on Ships During Emergencies Navigational Alarm On the navigation bridge, most navigational equipment and lights are equipped with failure alarms. If any of these systems fail, an alarm signal will sound on the bridge, and the details of the issue (such as location, affected equipment, and type of problem) will appear on the notification screen on the navigation panel. Crew Actions Upon Hearing the Navigational Alarm: Identify the equipment related to the alarm. Investigate the cause of the malfunction triggering the alarm. Correct the issue or switch to backup equipment if necessary. What is Bridge Navigational Watch & Alarm System (BNWAS)? Steering a massive vessel is no simple task, especially during emergencies where the navigational officer must make swift decisions. In such critical moments, the safety of the entire ship and its crew rests on the officer’s judgment. This is where automated systems prove invaluable. The BNWAS is a type of automated system used on ships. While safe navigation is crucial for ensuring the secure transport of cargo and crew between destinations, it’s important to acknowledge that the human element in navigation is prone to errors and unforeseen issues. For instance, if the watchkeeper becomes suddenly unavailable due to a health emergency while on duty, the ship could face significant risks. The BNWAS is designed to address such challenges effectively. The purpose of a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) is to monitor bridge activity and detect operator disability which could lead to marine accidents. The system monitors the awareness of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) and automatically alerts the Master or another qualified OOW if for any reason the OOW becomes incapable of performing the OOWís duties. This is achieved through a mix of alarms and indications which alert backup OOWs as well as the Master. BNWAS warnings are given in the case of incapacity of the watchkeeping officer due to accident, sickness or in the event of a security breach, e.g. piracy and/or hijacking. Unless decided by the Master only, the BNWAS shall remain operational at all times. Operational Requirements of BNWAS The BNWAS primarily has three modes of operation: Automatic Manual ON Manual OFF ONLINE MARINER PROJECT PAGE 3  Alarms on Ships During Emergencies Alarms and Indications 1. Once the BNWAS is put into operation, the dormant period should be between 3 to 12 minutes. This dormant period is the time in which the BNWAS is active without giving any alarm and it only once the dormant period is over that the alarm is sounded and the alarm/indication is sounded and the reset function needs to be activated 2. Once the dormant period ends, a visual indication (first stage; flashing indication) must be activated indicating/demanding that the officer rest it, if available and active 3. If not reset within 15 seconds of the visual indication, an audible alarm is sounded (first stage) 4. If at the first stage the audible alarm is not reset, 15 seconds after the audible alarm, another audible alarm (second stage; the sound should have its own characteristic tone or modulation intended to alert, but not to startle, the OOW) is sounded in the backup officer’s and/or Master’s cabin 5. If at the second stage the audible alarm is not reset, 90 seconds after it, another audible alarm is sounded (third stage; easily recognisable, indicates urgency, a volume sufficient for it to be heard throughout the locations above and to wake sleeping persons) at the locations of further crew members capable of taking corrective actions 6. Except for passenger vessels, the second and third stage alarm can be combined to sound at all locations. If this is applied, the third stage alarm may be omitted 7. For very large vessels, sufficient time of up to 3 minutes must be accounted for the backup officer or the Master to the reach the Bridge to tend to the situation The Reset Function Reset can only be done from physically located areas of the bridge providing proper look out Reset can be only be done with a single operator action (for those familiar with BNWAS, one stroke to the round reset switch) which starts the dormant period further, cancelling the alarms/indications Constant activation of the dormant period vis a vis the reset button should not extend the dormant period to more than that is set or bring about any suppression of the alarms/indications ONLINE MARINER PROJECT PAGE 4  Alarms on Ships During Emergencies Machinery Space Alarm The engine room of a ship houses various pieces of machinery, all monitored continuously through a control and monitoring system. To ensure safe operation, these machines are equipped with safety devices and alarms. If any equipment malfunctions, a common engine room alarm will activate, and the specific issue will be displayed on the control room alarm panel. Steps for the crew when the engine room alarm sounds: 1. Identify the machinery or system associated with the alarm. 2. Pinpoint the fault triggering the alarm. 3. Resolve the issue or activate standby machinery if necessary. Machinery Space CO₂ Alarm The machinery space is equipped with a fixed CO₂ fire extinguishing system. To ensure clear identification, the audible and visual alarms for this system are distinctly different from the standard machinery space alarm and other ship alarm signals. The audible alarm is strategically placed to be heard throughout the protected space, even when all machinery is running. It is designed to stand out from other alarms by varying the sound pressure or patterns. The CO₂ alarm is triggered when the release cabinet door—used to access and discharge the CO₂ bottle banks—is opened. ONLINE MARINER PROJECT PAGE 5  Alarms on Ships During Emergencies Cargo Space CO₂ Alarm The cargo spaces on a ship are equipped with a fixed CO₂ firefighting system that activates a distinct alarm when triggered. The audible and visual alarms for this system are specifically designed to stand out from other ship alarms, using unique sound patterns or pressure adjustments for easy identification. Crew actions when the CO₂ alarm is triggered: 1. Conduct a headcount to ensure all crew members are accounted for. 2. Confirm that the cargo hold is sealed and no personnel remain inside. 3. Verify that all ventilation systems for the cargo hold are shut down. Ship Security Alarm System (SSAS): As outlined in SOLAS Chapter XI, Regulation XI-2/5, every ship must be equipped with a Ship Security Alert System. The SSAS is a silent alarm specifically designed for emergencies such as pirate attacks. When activated, it does not trigger any audible alarms onboard or alert nearby vessels. Instead, it transmits a signal via a global satellite system to notify relevant coastal or competent authorities near the ship’s location about the situation. The vessel’s various alarm signals and the corresponding actions are detailed in the muster list to ensure all crew members can respond quickly and efficiently during an actual emergency. Understanding the different types of alarms and the emergencies they signify is crucial for every seafarer to act effectively when required. What is Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)? The Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) is a critical safety feature designed to enhance ship security and combat piracy or terrorism targeting maritime operations. Recognized as part of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the SSAS supports the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) efforts to improve vessel security worldwide. Developed through a collaboration between Cospas-Sarsat and the IMO, the SSAS serves as a safeguard against threats to maritime security. In events such as piracy attempts, terrorist acts, or other security risks, the system’s beacon is activated. This triggers a response from appropriate law enforcement or military forces for assistance and rescue. The SSAS beacon operates on principles similar to the Aircraft Transponder Emergency Code 7700, providing a discreet and effective method of signaling distress during security threats. ONLINE MARINER PROJECT PAGE 6  Alarms on Ships During Emergencies The SSAS is a silent ship security alarm system that, when activated, does not produce any audible or visual signals onboard, nor does it alert nearby vessels or security forces directly. Instead, the alert is typically first sent to the ship’s owner or a designated SSAS management third party. From there, it is relayed to the ship’s flag state, which is responsible for notifying the national authorities of the coastal state where the ship is currently operating. The flag state determines who will initially receive these security alerts. This recipient could include one or more parties designated as competent authorities, such as the shipowner or an SSAS management third party. Source: MarineInsight ONLINE MARINER PROJECT PAGE 7