Engine room: what SIRE 2.0 inspectors ask and find
In the engine room inspectors look at unmanned machinery space alarms, the oily water separator and the condition and records of critical equipment.
Do this before the inspector arrives: Check UMS alarm records and the OWS inspection due date.
What the inspector wants to see
- UMS alarm records with the engineer's name
- Oily water separator certificate and maintenance
Questions inspectors ask about Engine room
What must the machinery space safety inspection cover?
Vessel-specific hot surfaces and flammable liquids, using the ship-specific checklist.
What must be logged if the EPL seal is removed or the limit overridden?
A log book entry, e.g. when the EPL is removed for an Australian port.
How long must the emergency generator fuel last, and how should its start be tested?
Not less than 18 hours. Inspectors asked about testing it with the battery charger supply disconnected.
What fuel is needed for emergency engines when trading in sub-zero temperatures?
Fuel suited to cold: Arctic-grade diesel (pour point -40 C) is recommended. Pour point matters more than flash point; the notes say 37 C flash point is the minimum.
What sub-zero procedures are expected for deck and engine?
Detailed procedures for operations, equipment, heating, and fuel grades for auxiliary machinery, lifeboat engine and emergency generator.
What is the shelf life of diesel oil?
About 1-1.5 years.
There are 33 Engine room questions in NilObs, with spaced repetition so the ones you miss come back. Practise them free.
Real Engine room observations, and how to avoid them
Lube oil was leaking from connections under the LO cooler, with a small container placed to catch it instead of a repair; fixed during inspection.
Avoid it: Repair leaks at the source and raise a defect; a drip tin is not a fix.
The person responsible for machinery space safety inspections had not recorded the lube oil cooler leak.
Avoid it: Record every leak found on rounds and follow it through to repair.
There was no ship-specific checklist for inspecting machinery space fire prevention, such as hot surface insulation and flammable liquid leaks.
Avoid it: Use a ship-specific checklist covering hot surfaces, lagging and fuel/oil leak sources in the engine room.
Emergency generator fuel injection line connections had no anti-splash tape, missed in routine inspections; fixed during the inspection.
Avoid it: Check spray protection on fuel connections near hot surfaces, including on the emergency generator.
The PMS had no separate periodic task for checking fire prevention on machinery space hot surfaces, and no ship-specific checklist existed.
Avoid it: Set up a PMS task with a ship-specific checklist for hot surface and leak inspections.
Bunkering procedures did not require checking bunker tank ullage spaces for flammable vapour before, during or after bunkering.
Avoid it: Include flammable vapour checks of bunker tank ullage spaces in the bunker plan and checklist.
Engine room and stores were dirty, with spares left on the floor, behind machinery and beside safety equipment; a main engine thermometer glass was broken.
Avoid it: Keep spares secured in stores, clear of safety equipment, and replace broken instruments.
The engine room was generally untidy and dirty, looking older than the ship's actual age.
Avoid it: Keep a regular engine room cleaning routine; housekeeping is the first thing inspectors notice.
Who answers for Engine room
Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer, Electro-Technical Officer, Engine Cadet, Fitter, Oiler / Motorman, Wiper, Technical Superintendent, Vetting Manager / Superintendent, Fleet Manager. NilObs picks the questions and the daily drill for your role.
Rehearse Engine room before your next inspection.
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