Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS)

The Chief Engineer is responsible to prepare a respective watch schedule for all stand-by

watches. He has to ensure that every person being assigned on stand-by watch or ordered to

work in UMS is fully familiar with this procedure and alarms.

Only vessels that are equipped, certified and actually capable of being navigated with unattended machinery spaces are allowed to be operated as such between 17:00 hours and 08:00

hours the next morning and at any other time when the Master and Chief Engineer deem it safe.

It remains the Master's final responsibility to decide whether the sailing area and prevailing

or anticipated conditions and circumstances permit navigation with unattended machinery

spaces.

Before changing over to UMS the Duty Engine Officer shall:

inform the Navigational Officer on duty (bridge), Logbook entry that the engine is unattended and who is on duty.

test alarm systems, including cabin and mess room alarms,

make sure that sufficient quantities of lubricating oil and fuel oils are ready for use in

the service tanks for the intended period of unattended operations,

check that fuel transfer pumps, ballast pumps and lubricating oil transfer pumps are

switched off,

make sure that the incinerator is shut down,

make sure that fuel oil, lubricating oil and bilge filters are clean,

make a complete round of the machinery spaces checking the external condition of

machinery and checking pressures, temperatures, tank levels and position of access

opening closing devices,

make entries regarding the foregoing inspections, in the engine logbook.

A statement like “Engine Room UMS ready” may be sufficient.

Entering the engine room during UMS times:

No seafarer shall enter the engine room during UMS times unless being instructed or

assigned for as stand-by watch.

Before entering and once having finally left the machinery space the watch man must

report to the Navigational Officer on duty.

At regular intervals whilst in the machinery space the watch man must report to the

Navigational Officer on duty, if there is no “Dead Man” alarm system available and

operational in the machinery space.

Should the seafarer working in the engine room omit to report back at the agreed time

or interval, the Navigational Officer on duty should try to contact him and if failed doing so, send a watchman to check the situation.

283

Neptune

ISM

​Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS)

Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS)