Watch Keeping Change Over Procedures

Ship’s watch keeping engineers stand a four hour watch in the engine room, before being relieved by the oncoming engineer. They both must observe standard watch keeping change over procedures in which the oncoming engineer is informed of any on-going problems by the engineer going off shift.

Watch keeping means just that- keeping a good eye on the engines and auxiliary equipment for a specific time interval normally of 4 hours; one or more certified engineers along with a rating being responsible for the engine room operations and maintenance.

The following sections examine the role of the watch keeping engineer in taking over the watch; the first section looks at the checks that should be carried out by the oncoming watch keeper.

Checks Carried OutWhen coming on duty the engineer should enter the engine room through the top access door and make a few quick checks before taking over the watch; never mind the lift down to the control room!

So stop here at the top of the engine room for a few moments. Breathe in the never to be forgotten smell of hot lube-oil; tinged with a waft of heavy fuel oil and diesel fumes, and have a good look at your domain. You are going to be responsible for all this machinery and the Ship's personnel from the Captain to the galley-boy are depending on you to keep these engines running safely and smoothly for the next four hours. Now you can descend the set of steps taking you down to the top plates; your checks start right here at the main engine cylinder heads.

Walk along the plates, you may need to shine your torch on the face of the pyrometers to check the exhaust temperatures. A high exhaust temperature

could signify a exhaust valve seat leaking, faulty fuel injector or a scavenge fire in that particular cylinder.

Put a hand on pipe work from relief valves, you should be able to hold your hand on it for a few moments; is it too hot? This could signify a leaky relief valve or a valve “feathering”, just about to lift.

Put a hand on air start valve pipe work, again any heat should be bearable, but is this pipework too hot; signifying a leaky air start valve? This is a dangerous situation and must be immediately investigated. Explosions have occurred in the air receivers due to hot blow-back from air start valves mixing with the oil/air mixture in the air receivers. There is an air isolating valve to the air start valve that must be kept shut at all times unless the engine is on "Standby"

Check fuel oil injector cooling water temperatures, too high or low will have a detrimental effect on the injector efficiency.

The next platform down is the turbo blowers, check air inlet temp before and aftercooler, this affects the engine scavenge air temperature and ultimately the efficiency of the main engine.

Check round the other side - scavenge air plenum doors - put hand on doors- high temp may indicate scavenge fire

Check scavenge sludge funnels, - high temperatures as above

Continue along this vein until you reach the bottom plates, as you walk slowly by the main engine crankcase doors put the back of your hand against the doors checking for excess heat.

Handing Over the WatchOutgoing Watch keeper.

It is his responsibility to judge if the relieving engineer is in a fit state to take over the watch and capable of carrying out the duties; if not he has to inform to the chief engineer immediately.

He should have written any relevant information in the engine logbook and on the black board, spending a few minutes going through this with his relief. The Piper Alpha Disaster (North Sea Oil/Gas Platform) could have been diverted if a proper handover had been given to the on-coming production engineer.

Formalities Involved in Accepting the WatchGreet the watch keeping engineer at the control station or enter the control room and get a hand-over from him. This is a verbal update on anything out of the ordinary going on like “steam. This will be also be highlighted on the notice black-board to remind you to watch the boiler steam pressure. Maybe there is a tunnel bearing running a wee bit hot and you will have to keep an eye on it during the watch. Remember to pass these points over to your relief when he takes over from you if still relevant.

There are also certain formalities to go through before accepting the watch;

Any standing orders and the special instruction of the Chief Engineer relating to the operation of the ship systems and the machinery that have to be carried out during the watch.

Nature of all work being performed on the machinery, in the engine room and in the system, personal involved and note any potential hazards.

Likelihood of bad weather, ice or shallow water as communicated from the bridge.Once you are happy with the state of the engine and auxiliaries, you can formally take over the watch.

Prior to taking over the engineering watch, the relieving officer shall be informed by the officer in charge of the engineering watch as to: 1) The standing orders of the day, any special orders relating to the ship operations, maintenance functions, repairs to the ship’s machinery or control equipment;

2) The nature of all work being performed on machinery and systems on board ship, personnel involved and potential hazards;

3) The level and condition, where applicable, of water or residue in bilges, ballast tanks, slop tanks, sewage tanks, reserve tanks and special requirements for the use or disposal of the contents thereof;

4) Any special requirements relating to sanitary system disposals;

5) The condition and state of readiness of portable fire-extinguishing equipment and fixed fire-extinguishing installations and fire-detection systems;

6) Authorized repair personnel on board engaged in engineering activities, their work locations and repair functions and other authorized persons on board and the required crew;

7) Any port regulations pertaining to ship effluents, fire-fighting requirements and ship readi-ness, particularly during potential bad weather conditions;

8) The lines of communication available between the ship and shore personnel, including port authorities, in the event of an emergency arising or assistance being required;

9) Any other circumstance of importance to the safety of the ship, its crew, cargo or the protection of the environment from pollution; and

10) The procedures for notifying the appropriate authority of environmental pollution resulting from engineering activities.

Relieving officers, before assuming charge of the engineering watch, shall satisfy themselves that they are fully informed by the officer being relieved, as outlined above be familiar with existing and potential sources of power, heat and lighting and their distribution. Know the availability and condition of ship’s fuel, lubricants and all water supplies; and be ready to prepare the ship and its machinery, as far as is possible, for stand-by or emergency conditions as required.