Capt.S.S.Chaudhari

The following text prepared is keeping in mind, the resolution A.1072(28) adopted on 4 December 2013, ‘Revised guidelines for a structure of an integrated system of contingency planning for shipboard emergencies’. The following objectives are kept in mind:

1. Identifying and following common action items to avoid confusion.
2. Crew is arranged into various teams and the team structure does not change as various emergencies are tackled.
3. Similar duties are assigned to crew members, as far as practicable.
4. None of the important duties are missed out.
5. Precious time is not lost.

Emergency: Pollution

Signal: Continuous sounding of ship’s electrical bell or ship’s whistle for not less than 10 seconds. ‘Pollution forward portside or Starboard side, etc’ is spoken on ship’s address system.

Emergency: Pollution of Sea

Sr. No	Rank	Gen Specific duties for pollution
	Bridge Team
1	Master	Overall In charge with stations at Bridge. Reduce speed and adjust heading considering emergency. Head in a direction to direct off the vapours from ship. Stop any transfer of Cargo / Oil / bunkers. Shift bunkers / Cargo to mitigate pollutionSend message to nearest Port Control, Coast Station and Flag State Communication CentrePrepare for transmission of Urgency / Safety message. Situation report. Urgency / Safety as per situation. Report name call sign, position, pollution of sea (standardized format)Ensure record keeping.  Call for external response (if necessary)
6	3rd Officer	Assist Master in communication. Assist Master in navigation and course keeping. Log keeping.
16	1 H/man	On bridge
	Attack Team
2	Ch Officer	In charge Attack Team. Brief specific duties after head count.  At site, do damage assessment. Monitor pollution. Make assessment of polluted content. Determine cause / source of pollution. Make assessment of stability, stresses, etc in consultation with Master. Take immediate measures to prevent oil flowing out with crew 3, 4 & 5 and saloon 3 and 4. SMPEP initiated.
9	Fitter1	Fire fighting appliances, SCBA at site.
17	Crew 3	After taking soundings assist Ch Officer.
18	Crew 4	Portable firex at site.
19	Crew 5	Marine Spill Kit, saw dust, absorbent, pads, rolls, etc.
22	Salon 3	Marine Spill Kit, saw dust, absorbent, pads, rolls, etc.
23	Salon 4	Marine Spill Kit, saw dust, absorbent, pads, rolls, etc.
	Engine Room Team
3	Ch Engineer	Overall In charge E/R. Brief specific duties after muster. In communication with Master and 2nd engineer. While bunkering and oil transfer take charge of operations. Suspend each transfer operation at spillage.
8	4th Engineer	Assist Chief Engineer
14	ER 1	Marine Spill Kit, saw dust, absorbent, pads, rolls, etc
15	ER 2	Marine Spill Kit, saw dust, absorbent, pads, rolls, etc
	Technical Team
4	2nd Engineer	Assessment of oil tanks. Cause finding with Ch Officer and Chief Engineer. Closing of required valves, redirecting bunkers to alternate tank, etc in consultation with Ch Engineer. Maneuver engines if sailing, otherwise assist Chief Engineer.
7	3rd Engineer	Assist 2nd engineer
10	Fitter 2	Soundings E/R,
11	Electrician	Assist 2nd Engineer Marine Spill Kit, saw dust, absorbent, pads, rolls, etc
24	ER 3	Assist 2nd Engineer Marine Spill Kit, saw dust, absorbent, pads, rolls, etc
	Support Team
5	2nd Officer	Head Count, Back up to Ch off. Attend to immediate operations on deck regarding suspending the operations.
12	Crew 1	Assist 2nd officer
13	Crew 2	Assist 2nd officer
20	Saloon 1	Assist 2nd office
21	Saloon 2	Assist 2nd  officer

[A] “Initial actions”

Person who detects pollution in water must first ring nearest alarm.
The headcount of Attack Team, Support Team and Technical Team may be done at site with crew attending to immediate action at the same time. Engine Room Team may report from scheduled location in engine room. Reports are made to Bridge. Briefing of specific duties considering emergency. The ship’s speed is reduced if underway. The vessel is headed in the direction in which vapours are deflected off.

The initial report is prepared and transmitted to Port Control and Designated Coastal Authority. IMO format is used for initial notification. ‘Emergency Response Services’ is notified. Urgency / Safety message is transmitted as appropriate.

[B] Master’s Responsibilities “

The Master is responsible for the organizing emergency handling and for the availability and immediate use of the systems and equipment available but should delegate the various tasks to suitable qualified officers. He should conduct brief meeting with senior officers or instructions by radio phone.

[C] Measures to be taken
SMPEP is activated. Immediate suspension of oil transfer, etc is executed. Three most important things are:

1. Immediate action to mitigate pollution by operation of controls, etc and controlling spill by equipment.
2. Reporting is very important in appropriate format, stating the action being taken by ship’s staff.
3. Preventive safety measures including readiness with FFA.

In case of a tank damage, damage stability computer and damage control plan is kept handy. ERS is updated. Buoyancy, strength and stability calculations are done if required. Guidance taken from similar condition of loading and damage, in case the hull breach is discovered.

[D] Consider immediate Mitigation and Repairs if possible
Consider reduction of damage, attending root cause. Consider blocking small holes, prevent / reduce damage, making cement box, etc. In case of operational spill, crew members should mobilize the oil spill equipment. The damage to pipeline may indicate a problem in pipeline, valve, hose or metal arm, etc. The operations should be stopped immediately. The removed bunker oil and the used clean-up material should be retained on board in proper containment units until it can be discharged to a reception facility. If there is a tank overflow all bunker operations should be stopped immediately. The vapors must not enter accommodation or engine room. If operational oil spills are caused by a failure of equipment in machinery spaces any further operations of this equipment should be stopped immediately In the event of a casualty, the crew’s first priority is to ensure the safety of the other personnel, and to initiate actions which may prevent escalation of the incident and the marine pollution.

[E] Reporting
Updating the concerned bodies with timely report is important. Thus,

• Report to Owners / Charterers / DPA
• P & I, Insurance
• Designated Local Authorities
• National Authorities

[F] Steps to initiate external response:
Master must:

• assess (structural) damage to vessel and/or cargo;
• check vessel’s seaworthiness, buoyancy, stability, trim, list, etc;.
• consider plans, diagrams;
• observe weather forecasts; and
• check measures against cargo associated or other hazards caused by fire (spillage of marine pollutants, released gases, cargo securing, oil spillages, etc.

Thereafter, a report is prepared in respect of the cause of pollution and proposed solution and sent to owners and coast guards considering the following areas:

• salvage;
• lightening;
• mechanical equipment;
• external response team;
• chemical dispersant / degreasant; and
• probability of proceeding to POR.

[G] Non-conformity report
All non-conformities/deficiencies becoming known by the Master, officers and responsible crew members in connection with measures should be collected, recorded and sent to the company/designated person(s) or other, nominated person(s) as soon as possible.

[H] Restore normal ship routine/operation
The final report is sent to all concerned parties regarding updated status.

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