M.V.

HAPPY CLIPPER
HONG KONG CHINA SAR
____________________________________________________________________

EMERGENCY DRILL REPORT & SYNOPSIS

SUBJECT: “STEERING GEAR FAILURE”
GOVERNING SMS PROCEDURE: S-0905
NATURE OF DRILL
(TICK AS APPROPRIATE)
SHIP/SHORE DRILL
SHIP PRACTICAL AND TABLE TOP COMBINED DRILL
SHIP’S PURELY PRACTICAL DRILL
SHIP’S PURELY TABLE TOP DRILL

Date/Time: 23-April-15 at 1030 Hrs (SMT = GMT + 09)

Geographic Position: 12° 29’N /146° 41’E (At Sea, towards Newcastle)
Emergency Drill Theme: Steering Gear Failure.
Weather Condition: Wind direction ENE, Force 5, Sky Partly Cloudy, Visibility Good, Barometer
1010 hpa, Air Temperature 29°C and Seawater temperature 27°C.

Actual Situation: April 23rd, 2015 at 1030 Hrs local time (Time Zone: GMT + 09 hrs) in position
12° 29’N /146° 41’E, Ship enroute from Kinuura (Japan) to Newcastle (Australia) in ballast
condition.

Simulated Drill Scenario Planned By: Chief Officer & Second Engineer.
Simulated Drill Scenario Planned On: 22-April-15.
Simulated Drill Scenario: Assumed Vessel experienced sudden loss in steering.

Drill Events:
1030 Steering gear alarm activated automatically (Simulated).
1030 General alarm sounded by duty officer (Actually done).
1030 Changed over to hand steering (Actually done).
1031 Ship not responding to any steering commands.
1032 The steering gear units changed from unit no.1 to unit no.2, power unit changed from
no.1 to no.2. Interchanged power and steering units and tried on hand and non-follow
up system (Actually done).
1032 Still no response to steering commands.
1033 C/O reported all crew mustered at the general muster point with life jackets and
immersion suits as instructed. C/O took head count and found all OK (Actually done).
1033 All asked to disperse for duties and respond to steering gear failure (Actually done).
1134 General announcement made on VHF (Actually no action taken).
1135 Echo sounder switched on (Actually done).
1135 Missing person was C/E on duty as he was in the engine control room manning the
engine room which he informed by phone (Actually done).
1036 Engines being reduced to maneuvering RPM (Simulated).
1036 All engine room personnel asked to report to the Chief Engineer in the Engine Control
Room (Actually done).
1038 C/O instructed the remaining crew. Additional lookout posted in the wheelhouse. All
other hands dispersed for their duties. All dangers in the vicinity established. All
vessels identified via the AIS. Not under command signals displayed. NUC lights also
switched on (Actually done).
1039 Ship’s position checked. Also checked weather forecast, wind, current, direction and
force. Check list S-0905-CR filled up (Actually done, attached).
1039 Seamen kept look out on both the wings for oil spillage/ any casualty as instructed by
the Master.

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1040 3/O filled up form OS-0801-PC (Actually done, attached) and same faxed to the
company (Actually no action taken).
1040 Vessel on hand steering without any response. Vessel still making way.
1040 Steering gear failure checklist S-0905-CR complied with.
1041 Switched on second radar for good order (Actually done).
1041 Engineers continued detailed examination of the steering gear motor and looking for
possible restart (Actually no action taken).
1043 Emergency lifeboat party reported both survival craft in readiness. Master informed to
leave boat station in readiness and assist the other squads as required (Actually
done).
1044 Trouble located in Tele-motor. Chief Engineer reported that cause of malfunction due
to electrical fault, traced to relay circuits of both follow up and non follow up systems.
Found relay coils of both burnt. (Simulated).
1046 Replaced with new coils from spares on board
1047 Both steering motors switched on (Actually done).
1048 C/E reported that vessel ready to resume sea speed. Bridge to acknowledge
telegraph as given from Engine Room. (Simulated).
1049 Hand steering from wheelhouse, helm orders given and found steering gear
responding well. Tried out by interchanging power units and steering units on hand,
non-follow up and auto pilot systems. Steering responding well to all systems
(Actually done)..
1050 Commenced normal operation.
1115 Engines on full sea speed.
1120 All parameters checked. Engine room reported normal. No damages. No water
ingress. All watertight openings intact (Actually done).
1120 Deck reported normal. No Damages. No water ingress. All watertight openings intact.
Survival crafts re-secured (Actually done).
1120 Drill called off. Debriefing meeting called in the ship’s office (Actually done).

Tests & Checks actually carried out:

 Steering Gear Failure Alarm.

 Steering Gear Low Level Alarm.
 Operation of main and Aux. S/G
 Full movement of the rudder
 Remote control system.
 Emergency power supply.
 Rudder angle indicators in relation to actual position.
 Testing of alarms.
 Visual inspection of S/G and connecting linkage.
 Operating instructions with block diagram in W/H, S/G room.
 No oil leakage from ram cylinder.

Table Top Exercise carried out after Practical Exercise in Ship’s Office:

 Operation of emergency steering gear explained by the C/E in the steering gear flat.
Due to ship’s speed practical exercise was not carried out..

List of Documents Attached:

 Initial contact OS-0801-PC.

 Checklist S-0905-CR.
 Log Book entries.

Master’s Comments:

While the above drill was carried out and the steering system was actually switched off to
simulate the situation. During the actual operation of the emergency steering gear system the
full crew was briefed regarding the regular maintenance and details of the system.

Master’s Review:

The crew response was found to be improving with each drill. The staff was found to be well
versed with their duties and more oriented. The company’s SMS procedures were followed and
found to be well conversant with all possible aspects for the drill and/or emergency.

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Other’s Review:

Chief Officer explained his views regarding jury radar and its practicality.

Emergency Stations:

Bridge Team / Response Team – Master, Third Officer & Seaman - Assist Master, Lookout,
Log events, Navigation Safety, Communications and GMDSS procedures. Reporting to owners
and other authorities.
Engine Team – Chief Engineer, Third Engineer & Motorman - Respond to engine orders from
wheelhouse. Provide all general deck services like water and air. Follow instructions from
Master.
On Scene Command Team – Chief Officer, Second Engineer, Electrical Officer, Fitter,
Boatswain, Seaman, Motorman - Detailed examination, Inform Master status of damage, temp
repairs, Observe for pollution, fire, and any other emergency, Anti pollution measures,
preparation for evacuation or helicopter lift, selection of rescue party and preparation of rescue
boat for launching & follow instructions.
Emergency Survival and First Aid Team – Second Officer, Cook & Steward - Keep emergency
lifeboat ready for immediate launching. Stand by with first aid.
Utility Team – Cadets, Trainee Seamen, Wipers, Ordinary Seaman & Any Other Crew Member
- All ballast tanks, Fuel Tanks, Void spaces, Cofferdams, Cargo hold bilges, Chain lockers,
Cargo holds, Peak stores are to be sounded and reported. Any special requirements which
may be required by the Master or any officer during or by the special circumstance of the case.

Master
Capt. AMBROSE P. COUTINHO

Chief Engineer
Mr. RANGAN GUHA

Safety Officer
Mr. RAJ NASIM AKTHER (C/O)

Safety Representative
Mr. SATYANARAIN SINGH (2/E)

Safety Representative
Mr. UTTAM KUMAR MANNA (Bosun)

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