Critical Ship Equipment- Working on critical systems

What are Critical Ship Equipment?

If a sudden operational failure of equipment or technical systems on board may result in a hazardous
situation, that equipment or system is considered critical. Master and Chief Engineer must draw up a list
of Critical Ship Functions and Critical Equipment (Main and Standby). These Critical Lists are to be
formalized on board and sent to the office.

The agreed list of Critical Equipment must be accurately reflected and identified in the vessel’s PMS.This
list will always include; Supply of electrical power to essential services, Propulsion, Steering, Main
Engine, Steering gear, Generators

Critical Ship Functions

The list of critical ship functions may also include ship specific functions, for example the capability to
recover from a semi-submerged condition for a heavy-lift vessel.

Critical Stand-By Equipment

Working from the basis of the critical machinery list, a list of critical stand-by arrangements should be
drawn up. The critical stand-by arrangements list should be decided using the criteria of “Will a single
critical stand-by arrangement failure compromise one of the critical machinery functions”.

The critical stand-by arrangement list will generally include:

1. Electrical Generating Plant

2. Main Air Compressor Sets

3. Control Air Compressor Sets

4. Main and Auxiliary Engine circulating systems pump sets

5. Main Engine Electrical Blower

6. Main Switchboard and Components

7. Main and Auxiliary Engine system filters

8. HFO & LO pumps

9. Feed Water System Pump Sets

10. Boiler Circulating Pump Sets

11. Boiler Water Gauge Glass Sets

12. Boiler Safety Valve Sets

13. Steering Gear Pump Sets

14. Rudder, Shafting and Propeller systems

15. Control engineering items

16. Ships Side Valves

17. Windlass and Mooring Sets

18. High and Low Level Alarms

 19. Stand-by Whistle, Siren Horn etc.

20. Critical Idle Functions (Equipment which is safety critical but not in day-to-day use).

21. Quick closing valves, Remote stops and switches

22. Over-speed trip arrangements

23. First start arrangement

24. Emergency Electrical Generating Plan

25. Emergency Lighting

26. Emergency Compressor

27. Emergency Fire Pump

28. Fire Fighting and Detection Systems

29. Safety and Lifesaving Equipment

30. B.A. Compressor

31. Emergency Steering Arrangement

32. Main & Auxiliary Engine Shutdown arrangements.

Minimum Stock Level for Critical, Spare Parts, Consumables and Tools

It is the responsibility of the Chief Engineer to set the minimum level stock listing, customised for each
vessel and to formally agree with the Fleet Superintendent the contents of the list.

The Chief Engineer must then maintain the agreed minimum stock levels and to ensure, as appropriate,
the necessary requisitions. Deficiencies are to be brought to the attention of the Master and the
technical Department of the relevant management Office as “Critical Spares Inventory Monthly Report” .
This report must be completed and returned to the Managing Officer. The under-mentioned listings are
the recommended Minimum Stock Levels for the items list.

Working on critical equipment and systems

Persons who are responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair of critical equipment and systems,
as well as the calibration and adjustment of alarms and other parameters of the equipment, must be
properly qualified, trained or experienced in the use of these crucial items. Either the Master or Chief
Engineer is responsible for ensuring that the competency of the person involved in the maintenance is
sufficient to carry out the task or must personally supervise critical phases of overhaul. If there is any
doubt as to the ability and competence of those onboard to carry out a particular task successfully on
critical equipment or systems, then the management office must be notified for further guidance and/or
instruction as to how to proceed.

Whenever routine planned maintenance of major critical equipment is to be carried out that involves
shutting down the equipment, ship’s staff will consult with the management cell. A risk assessment will
be required before the equipment is shut down. The risk assessment will include, but not be limited to,
addressing the following topics:

1. Alternative back-up equipment / systems.

 2. Any necessary modification in operational procedures as a result of the equipment being out of
service.

3. Any additional safety procedures (emergency equipment etc).

If the agreed out of service period for critical equipment or systems maintenance cannot be achieved,
any extension or alternative actions will require review by the shore management. In additional, a
further risk assessment may be required if circumstances (such as environmental conditions, crew
fatigue or operational parameters) change.

Trends and historical data recorded in PMS should be used to modify the maintenance interval or critical
systems, in order to prevent incidents or out of service periods that could be associated with a failure.

Ordering Critical Repairs or Spares

When any item from this list requires a spare or repair, the Requisition Form must be endorsed “Spare
for Critical Equipment” marked appropriately and followed up with a telephone call, as explained in the
Purchasing Section of these procedures.

It is the responsibility of the Chief Engineer to set the minimum level stock listing, customised for each
vessel and to formally agree with the Fleet Superintendent the contents of the list. The Chief Engineer
must then maintain the agreed minimum stock levels and to ensure, as appropriate, the necessary
requisitions. Deficiencies are to be brought to the attention fo the Master and the technical Department
of the relevant management Office as “Critical Spares Inventory” Monthly Report . This report must be
completed and returned to the Managing Officer.

Quick Checklist (QCL)

For portable tools and equipment which are more likely to get lost or stolen, and which are costly and
essential for work and running of the ship, a Q.C.L. list must be established. Include some of the items
listed in the inventory for the ship, and one copy of the Q.C.L. to be forwarded to the Company.

For the Deck Department, the following similar items are included: binoculars, walkie-talkies, sextants
and other mobile navigational aids, professional books supplied by the owners (e.g. Handbook, IMO
dangerous goods code etc.,) large ropes, power tools, valuable entertainment equipment, typewriters,
calculators etc. For the Engine Department, the following similar items are included: measuring tools,
test instruments, power tools.

Such Q.C.L. is not normally to contain more than 10 to 15 items. This list must also include items which
are in custody of the senior officers, such as the Chief Mate, 1st Assistant Engineer, Electrician, etc., and
when there is a change of Master or Chief Engineer, the content of the list must be confirmed. The
Master and the Chief Engineer are to check these items against the Q.C.L. when there is a change of
officer, and report any discrepancies immediately to the Company.