Key Elements of Shipboard Emergency Plan, Seafarers Must Know

Ship’s Fire Alarm Signal:

The alarm given for an emergency is the continuous long blast, each blast not more than 10 seconds.

Fire Fighting Equipment Plans:

The equipment plan should be displayed clearly on the prominent places. The plan must contain the location of the fire fighting extinguishers, dampers, and all the emergency activation buttons. This plan should be known to all the persons onboard.

Inspection and Maintenance

Maintenance of the CO₂room and Foam systems needs proper flushing through the air. Alarms and sensors to be checked regularly. Trying out of emergency generator every week is also an important part of the emergency plan. Inspection of the CO₂ bottle to be done by a responsible officer. The dates and details to be clearly indicated on all the fire fighting equipment. All breathing apparatus to be checked and refilled urgently if required.

Training and Drills

The drills should be carried out every week or twice the month according to the frequency of the ports covered by ship. The emergency plan should be well understood by all the persons onboard. And for this proper training of all the breathing apparatus and fire fighting equipment to be done regularly. If the drills can be arranged at the terminal with the shore personnel, then master should arrange immediately according to the design of fire fighting plan of the ship.

Conclusion

Doing safe work is a practise which every personnel on ship should follow. This demands attention in step by step work. Before doing any work, first see the safety equipment list. Then discuss the critical steps which will be coming in the whole process. Under the guidance of senior officer proceeds the work following all required safety actions. For example: Cargo Tank Cleaning requires the step by step process to finish the work includes gas freeing, enclosed entry and many more. So, always follow the checklist provided and complete them with sincerity.