Equipment failure & emergency response for liquefied gas carriers

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Equipment failure & emergency response for liquefied gas carriers

An emergency can occur at any time and in any situation. Effective action is only possible if pre-planned and practical procedures have been developed and are frequently exercised. The Contingency Plan provides guidelines and instructions that assist in making an efficient response to emergency situations onboard ships.

If the vessel encounters a dangerous situation that may develop into an emergency, it is extremely important that the whole crew know exactly what they should do to save their lives and minimize damage.

The crew must be drilled to take certain actions more or less automatically. However, nobody must act without considering the superfluous consequences. These plans should be used actively during emergency drills.

Bridge Control/Engine Telegraph Failure and Immediate Action

In co-ordination with duty engineer, switch to Engine Room Control

a) Inform the Master

b) Use emergency telegraph

c) Engine room to be attended during any bridge control failure

d) Consider - suspending berthing/leaving berth or leaving/entering port

LNG carrier seaway

Gyrocompass Failure

e) If the gyrocompass has failed, where a second gyrocompass is available make the second one active.

f) Change to manual steering and steer the vessel by magnetic compass, keeping in mind correction to be applied

g) Inform the Master

h) Enter heading in both radar manually

i) Remember that heading may affect other navigational aids and Sat Communications

j) If GPS working keep monitoring Course in order to adjust course with magnetic compass k) Reduce speed if considered necessary

l) Steer with Landmarks particularly when in proximity to port

Lost Anchor and Chain

a)Alert Port Authorities and Pilots in next port of call

b) Consider - order extra tugs for assistance or stand-by on arrival

c) Determine how much chain is left

d) Prepare full report to the Company

e) Inform CMSI

Main Engine Failure / Breakdown

a) Inform Master

b) Use rudder (Bow Thrusters) to the best advantage

c) Exhibit “Not Under Command” signal

d) Prepare to anchor if in shallow waters

e) Broadcast vessel in the vicinity

f) Consider - are tugboats required. Prepare emergency towing if required

g) Inform CMSI, Owners, Local Authorities, Agent, Insurance/P&I

h) Monitor Tank pressure

i)Stopping spraying, cooling down lines or other cargo operations may help to increase cargo tanks pressure

j) Consider - suspending berthing/leaving berth or entering/leaving port

Steering Failure

a) Inform Master

b) Try other available means- Change to stand -by pumps, change to Non Follow Up (NFU) mode

c) Engineer should inform the bridge at once as to the result of the initial check in order to act accordingly

d) If emergency steering has to be used (one pump running only) remember limitation regarding speed (max. speed normally half of sea speeds around 10 Knots).

e) Hoist /exhibit signal NUC (Not Under Command)

f) Reduce Speed or stop engines

g) Prepare anchor if in shallow waters

h) Broadcast warning to ships in the vicinity

i) Request Tug(s) if required

j) Consider - suspending berthing/leaving berth or entering/leaving port

k) When steering failure has been restored, cancel the broadcast warning

Mooring System Fails due to Tidal Effect or System Failure

The probability of this scenario occurring is remote as the moorings are continuously monitored whilst vessel is alongside. Also the tidal effect is predicted and monitored whilst the vessel is alongside.

Some vessels have access to mooring monitoring equipment that enables a continuous monitor of all moorings. Mooring failure during loading/unloading mainly occurs due to mooring equipment failure. Typical causes include: broken pipes, pumps, not enough oil in expansion tank, clogged filters, etc.

a) Advise CCR as soon as mooring failure is detected

b) Evaluate the extent of the failure. Maybe a mooring line or various mooring lines failed

c) Advise Terminal

d) Check mooring system. Look for hydraulic oil leaks, check oil level in expansion tank, check pumps, check if valves are properly lined up, run pumps and check filters

e) If one mooring line failed send another spare line (wire) if available, otherwise send ropes

f) If more than one mooring line failed arrange for tugboat(s) as soon as possible

g) All hands at their mooring stations to control the remaining mooring lines and send extra mooring lines ashore if possible

h) Stop loading operations. ESDS activated

i) Consider - disconnect loading arms and leave berth

j) If it has been decided to leave berth, make ready the main engine as soon as possible

k) Inform management, Owners, Local authorities, agent, P&I club

Ballasting Failure Causing Lost or Damaged Stability

a) Stop cargo operations

b) Advise terminal

c) Disconnect Loading arms in order to avoid damage

d) Monitor tanks pressure carefully

e) Monitor moorings and adjust as necessary

f) Reduce speed

g) Use minimum rudder angles

h) Choose comfortable course according to conditions

i) Give vessel position to GMDSS operator

j) Check, reason why stability is lost or damaged, flooding, leakage, slack ballast tanks, slack bunker tanks, shifted cargo or ballast

k) Consider - sounding the general alarm

l) Consider - distress call

m) Consider - preparing the survival craft

n) Considering alerting other vessels

o) When situation is under control, cancel your distress calls, and inform all contacts

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