Marine Orders - Part 21: Safety of navigation and emergency procedures, Issue 7 (Order No. 6 of 2010)
35Shipboard emergency procedures
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35.1.1 The general emergency alarm signal for an emergency stations muster of the passengers and crew of a ship is a signal of 7 or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle or siren.
35.1.2 The general emergency alarm signal must be repeated on the ship's electrically operated warning bell system and suitable instructions must be given over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other equally effective means available.
35.2 Prepare to abandon ship signal
35.2.1 The signal to indicate that the ship may shortly be abandoned is one short blast followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle or siren, sounded at least 3 times in succession.
35.2.2 The signal to indicate that the ship may shortly be abandoned must be repeated on the ship's electrically operated warning bell system and suitable instructions must be given over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other equally effective means available. The engine-room telegraph must be put to 'Finished with Engines'.
35.2.3 When a ship is to be abandoned, the master must ensure that any machinery or appliance whose operation could impede the safe abandonment of the ship is stopped, disengaged or otherwise rendered inoperative. Stabilisers, if extended and liable to interfere with survival craft, must be retracted.
35.2.4 When a ship is to be abandoned, the master must ensure that all crew members working below deck or in other parts of the ship distant from survival craft, are effectively warned by all means available that the ship is to be abandoned, in sufficient time to allow all crew members to reach their survival craft station.
35.3 Abandon ship signal
The abandon ship signal is to be defined by the Master and stated in each muster list. It is to be given by the Master or senior surviving officer in the most effective manner possible and gives authority to those in charge of survival craft to launch as soon as ready.
35.4 Emergency practices
Signals
35.4.1 The signal for an emergency practice is the general emergency alarm signal, supplemented by instructions by the master as to the nature of the practice over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other equally effective means.
35.4.2 If the master of a ship considers that the sounding of the general emergency alarm signal would constitute a nuisance outside the ship, then:
(a) the ship's electrically operated warning bell system;
(b) suitable instructions given over the ship's public address system, if fitted; or
(c) any other equally effective means,
Section 35 - Marine Orders - Part 21: Safety of navigation and emergency procedures, Issue 7 (Order No. 6 of 2010) - Shipboard emergency procedures | Zoe
may be used to initiate the emergency practice.
35.4.3 Before a signal is given for an emergency practice, all passengers and crew must be warned of:
(a) the time at which the practice is to be held; and
(b) the nature of the practice signal.
Note: On passenger ships, passengers should be advised of what actions they are to take: (i) during the practice; and (ii) in an emergency.
When practices to be held
35.4.4 The master of a ship must arrange for practice musters and drills as required by Marine Orders, Part 25 (Equipment—Life-saving).
35.4.5 The master of a ship must arrange for training sessions for the crew in survival and use of equipment, at suitable intervals to ensure that the crew maintain their competence in this respect.
Note: These training sessions are not emergency practices, but may be combined with them. In setting the interval between training sessions, the master should have regard to training carried out ashore by crew members.
35.4.6 The master of a ship must arrange for practices in other operations, such as closure of watertight doors, damage control and rescue of casualties, at the following intervals:
(a) in respect of watertight doors—at least once a week;
(b) in respect of other damage control matters on passenger ships:
(i) within 24 hours of the ship leaving a port if more than 25 % of the crew have not participated in such a practice on board that ship in the previous month;
(ii) within 24 hours of the ship leaving a port if more than 50 % of the relevant persons assigned that duty have not participated in such a practice on board that ship in the previous month;
(c) in respect of other matters—when the master considers necessary.
Practice procedures
35.4.7 The procedures to be followed in conducting an emergency practice are specified in Appendix 5.
Note: SOLAS requirements for emergency practices are also contained in Marine Orders, Part 25 (Equipment—life-saving).
35.5 Muster list and emergency instructions
Emergency instructions
35.5.1 The master of a ship must provide to every person on board clear instructions to be followed in the event of an emergency.
Note: Guidelines for passenger safety instructions are contained in IMO document MSC/Circ.699 and, for ro-ro vessels, in IMO document MSC/Circ.681.
Assignment of passengers to muster stations
35.5.2 The master of a ship carrying passengers must:
(a) assign each passenger to a muster station; and
(b) record the assignments made under (a) in accordance with Appendix 6 and, exhibit at all times for the information of the members of the crew concerned with the mustering of passengers such number of copies of that record and in such places as a surveyor may require.
Marking of muster stations for passengers
35.5.3 The master of a ship carrying passengers must ensure that the muster stations for passengers are so indicated to the satisfaction of a surveyor, by painted or other signs, as to be readily visible by day and by night.
Note: Specified signs are contained in IMO Resolution A.760(18), as amended by MSC.82(70). See also MSC.1/Circ.1244 Symbol for infant life jacket.
Assignment of crew
35.5.4 The master of a ship must ensure that:
(a) each crew member on joining the ship is assigned to an emergency station and to a survival craft according to the cabin berth allocated or by other suitable identification; and
(b) in the case of a passenger ship, each lifeboat has assigned to it no fewer than the number of certificated persons applicable to the lifeboat as determined in accordance with Table l.
Table 1
Carrying capacity of lifeboat
Number of certificated persons
40 persons or fewer
2
More than 40 persons but fewer than 62
3
More than 62 persons but fewer than 86
4
86 persons or more
5
35.5.5 The master of a ship must assign crew members to, and provide instructions to crew members in respect of, duties relating to emergencies that may occur on the ship.
Note: Two forms of organisation are suggested. Where the size of the crew permits, specialised emergency parties could be designated to deal with specific emergencies and duties. In other cases, the whole crew might muster at a specific point (except those whose duties necessitate them remaining at their posts, or whose emergency duties require them to undertake a specific duty, such as a person in charge of emergency radio communications) and be given relevant tasks as appropriate.
35.5.6 Assignments made under 35.5.4 and 35.5.5 must be recorded in accordance with Appendix 7 and must be so exhibited in conspicuous positions in crew accommodation and other appropriate parts of the ship so as to be easily visible to the crew.
35.6 Responsibilities of owner, master and crew
35.6.1 The owner of a ship must supply a copy of this Part to:
(a) the master; and
(b) in the case of a passenger ship, to each officer or other person who is directly responsible to the master for a department of the ship.
35.6.2 The master of a ship must ensure that the requirements of 35.1 to 35.5 are so met that crew members become conversant with their assigned emergency stations and duties, and emergency procedures generally.
35.6.3 The master of a ship must ensure that crew members are trained in the operation and application of all life‑saving, fire fighting and other emergency appliances and equipment provided in the ship.
35.6.4 The master of a ship must ensure that a survival manual is provided at or near the cabin berth of each crew member for the exclusive use of that person.
35.6.5 The master of a ship must ensure that entries recording all practice musters and drills, tests and inspections held in accordance with 35.1 to 35.5 are made in the ship's official log‑book.
35.6.6 The master of a ship must ensure that where a practice muster or drill, test or inspection required by 35.1 to 35.5 is not held, an entry is made in the ship's official log‑book stating the reasons for non‑compliance.
35.6.7 An officer or other person referred to in 35.6.1(b) must become conversant with the requirements of 35.1 to 35.5 and must take all necessary measures to ensure that members of the crew under his or her control are instructed in their assigned duties under 35.5.4 and in the survival craft, fire and damage control drills.
35.6.8 Each member of a ship's crew must become conversant with the contents of the survival manual and, except during training sessions, keep it at or near the cabin berth he or she occupies.