Engineering Watch

Classification: Public
General Principles
Companies, chief engineer officers and watchkeeping personnel must observe the following
principles to ensure that safe watches are maintained at all times
The chief engineer officer of every ship is bound in consultation with the master, to ensure that
watchkeeping arrangements are adequate to maintain a safe engineering watch.
Protection of marine environment Engineer officers and ratings must be aware of the serious
effects of operational or accidental pollution of the marine environment and shall take all
possible precautions to prevent such pollution, particularly within the framework of relevant
international and port regulations.
Engineering Watch
It means either a person or a group of personnel comprising the watch or a period of
responsibility for an officer during which the physical presence in machinery spaces of that
officer may or may not be required.
The officer in charge of the engineering watch is the Chief engineer officer’s representative.
Primary responsible at all times for the safe and efficient operation and upkeep of machinery
affecting the safety of the ship.
Certification
The officer in charge of the engineering watch must be qualified on accordance with the
provision of Marine Order 3
Voyage Planning
The chief engineer officer shall, in consultation with the master, determine in advance the needs
of the intended voyage, taking into consideration the requirements for fuel, water, lubricants,
chemicals, spare parts, tools, supplies and any other requirements.
Watch Arrangements
When deciding the composition of the engineering watch, which may include appropriately
qualified rating, criteria:
a. Type of ship and condition of machinery

b. Adequate supervision, at all tim es, of machinery affecting the safe operation of the ship.
c. Any special mode of operation dictated by conditions such as Weather, shallow water,
emergency conditions or pollution abatement
d. Qualification and experience of the engineering watch
e. The safety of life, ship, cargo and port, and protection of the environment
f. Observance of international, national and local regulations
g. Maintaining the normal operation of the ship
Taking over the watch
The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall not hand over the watch to the relieving officer if
there is reason to believe that the latter is obviously not capable of carrying out the watchkeeping duties
effectively; in which case the chief engineer officer shall be notified.
The relieving officer of the engineering watch shall ensure that the members of the relieving engineering
watch are apparently fully capable of performing their duties effectively.
• It requires decision making that might affect the safety of the people onboard the vessel.
• If he is not mentally unfocused, he will be a hazard for the other people or for himself
How to assess the relieving officer if he or she can do the watch:
1. Influenced under drug and alcohol

2. Sick
3. Physically injured
4. Mentally and Physically unstable
5. Lack of Sleep
6. Stress
Prior to taking over the engineering watch, relieving officers shall satisfy themselves regarding at
least the following:
• the standing orders and special instructions of the chief engineer officer
• the nature of all work being performed on machinery and systems, the personnel involved
and potential hazards;
• the level and, where applicable, the condition of water or residues in bilges, ballast tanks,
slop tanks, reserve tanks, freshwater tanks, sewage tanks and any special requirements for
use or disposal of the contents thereof;
• the condition and level of fuel in the reserve tanks, settling tank, day tank and other fuel
storage facilities;
Prior to taking over the engineering watch, relieving officers shall satisfy themselves regarding at
least the following:
• any special requirements relating to sanitary system disposals;

• condition and mode of operation of the various main and auxiliary systems, including the
electrical power distribution system;
• where applicable, the condition of monitoring and control console equipment, and which
equipment is being operated manually;
• where applicable, the condition and mode of operation of automatic boiler controls such as
flame safeguard control systems, limit control systems, combustion control systems, fuel
supply control systems and other equipment related to the operation of steam boilers;
• any potentially adverse conditions resulting from bad weather, ice, contaminated or shallow
water;
Performing the watch
All members of the engineering watch shall be familiar with their assigned watchkeeping duties.
In addition, every member must with respect to the ship they are serving in have knowledge of:
• The use of appropriate internal communication systems

• The escape routes from machinery spaces
• The engine room alarm systems and be able to distinguish between the various alarms with
special reference to the fire extinguishing media alarm
• The number, location and types of fire fighting equipment and damage control gear in the
machinery spaces, together with their use and the various safety precautions to be observed.
Performing the watch
The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall co-operate with any engineer in charge of
maintenance work during all preventive maintenance, damage control or repairs. This includes
but is not necessarily limited to:
• Isolating and bypassing machinery to be worked on

• Adjusting the remaining plant to function adequately and safely during the maintenance
period
• Recording, in the engine room log or other suitable document, the equipment worked on
and the personnel involved, and which safety steps have been taken and by whom, for the
benefit of relieving officers and for record purposes
• Testing and putting into service, when necessary, the repaired machinery or equipment

Engineering Watch

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Classification: Public

a. Type of ship and condition of machinery

How to assess the relieving officer if he or she can do the watch:

1. Influenced under drug and alcohol

• any special requirements relating to sanitary system disposals;

• The use of appropriate internal communication systems

• Isolating and bypassing machinery to be worked on

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