Maskinbefal key terms

The part of the MARPOL convention that regulates pollution by oil, covering machinery space bilge water, oil cargo residues, and the operation of oil filtering and monitoring equipment. It sets discharge limits and requires an Oil Record Book.

A mandatory log in which the engineer records all oil transfers, bilge discharges, sludge handling, and tank soundings. Entries must be factual, signed, and available for inspection by flag and port state authorities.

An automatic alarm and, on compliant installations, an automatic stopping device fitted to oily water separators. It activates when the oil content of the discharged effluent exceeds 15 parts per million, preventing illegal discharge overboard.

Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System, required on larger tankers. It continuously measures the oil content of ballast and tank washing discharges, records the data, and automatically stops discharge when the permitted limit is exceeded.

A compulsory record of every garbage disposal or landing operation on board, with category, estimated amount, date, and position. It supports MARPOL Annex V compliance and is inspected during port state control.

Inspection of foreign ships in a national port to verify compliance with international conventions. Deficiencies can lead to detention, and the ship must rectify them before being allowed to sail.

A formal order by a port state authority preventing a ship from sailing because of serious deficiencies that endanger safety, health, or the environment. Release requires verified corrective action and often re-inspection.

The International Safety Management Code requires companies and ships to operate a documented safety management system with defined responsibilities, procedures, and emergency preparedness. Compliance is evidenced by a Document of Compliance and a Safety Management Certificate.

The structured set of documented procedures, checklists, and responsibilities by which a company and its ships manage safety and pollution prevention under the ISM Code. It includes drills, reporting, and internal audits.

The ISM principle that the master has authority to make decisions necessary for safety and pollution prevention, overriding commercial pressure. The company must state this authority clearly in the safety management system.

An incident that did not cause injury or damage but had the potential to do so. Reporting and investigating near misses is a core part of the safety management system because it reveals hazards before harm occurs.

A structured evaluation of a task or operation to identify hazards, estimate the likelihood and severity of harm, and define control measures. It is documented and reviewed before non-routine work begins.

A formal written authorisation for high-risk work such as hot work, enclosed space entry, or work on live electrical systems. It records isolations, precautions, time limits, and the signatures of the authorising and receiving persons.

Entry into a tank, void, cofferdam, or similar space with restricted ventilation. It requires a permit, atmosphere testing for oxygen and toxic or flammable gases, continuous ventilation, a standby person, and rescue equipment at the entrance.

The international convention setting minimum standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers. It defines competence requirements, sea service, rest hours, and certification for engineer officers and ratings.

The document issued by a flag state confirming that a seafarer meets the STCW requirements for a specific rank and function, such as second engineer or chief engineer. It is distinct from a certificate of proficiency.

The minimum periods of rest required by STCW to prevent fatigue, typically ten hours in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any seven-day period. Records must be maintained and are subject to inspection.

A reduction in physical or mental performance caused by prolonged work, disturbed sleep, or stress. In the engine room it raises the risk of error during watchkeeping, maintenance, and emergency response, so rest hours and workload are managed.

The ability to perceive what is happening around the ship, understand its meaning, and predict what may happen next. Loss of it is a common factor in engine room and bridge accidents.

A short briefing held before a task to review the plan, hazards, controls, and individual roles. It gives crew the chance to raise concerns and confirms that everyone understands the job.

A large slow-speed diesel engine in which the piston rod is connected to the crosshead and connecting rod, separating the combustion space from the crankcase. It is uniflow-scavenged and usually directly coupled to the propeller.

A scavenging method where air enters through ports at the bottom of the cylinder liner and exhaust gas leaves through a central exhaust valve in the cylinder head, giving a single direction of gas flow.

Combustion of accumulated oil and carbon in the scavenge air space of a large diesel engine. Signs include high scavenge air temperature, smoke, and paint blistering; response involves reducing load, cutting fuel to the affected unit, and applying fixed firefighting arrangements.

A explosion caused by ignition of oil mist in the crankcase after a hot spot vaporises lubricating oil. Prevention relies on oil mist detectors, crankcase relief valves, and immediate action on high mist concentration.

A device that continuously samples crankcase atmosphere and alarms when oil mist concentration rises above a set level, warning of a hot spot before an explosion can occur.

Twisting oscillation of the propulsion shafting caused by uneven cylinder firing and the elasticity of the shaft. It is controlled by a tuned damper, and excessive vibration can crack shafts or damage couplings.

An electrical generator driven from the propeller shaft, often through a gearbox or directly, allowing the main engine to supply electrical power at sea and reducing the need to run auxiliary engines.

Total loss of electrical power on board, stopping pumps, steering gear, and propulsion control. Recovery requires starting the emergency generator, restoring essential services, and investigating the cause before reconnecting the main switchboard.

A protective function of the main switchboard that disconnects non-essential loads in stages when generator capacity is exceeded, preserving power to essential services and preventing a full blackout.

Unattended machinery space operation, in which the engine room is periodically unmanned at sea under approved automation, alarms, and safety systems. It requires a valid UMS certificate and reliable alarm transfer to the duty engineer.

A system in the engine room that requires the duty engineer to reset a timer at intervals. If not reset, an alarm is raised in the accommodation and on the bridge, protecting a lone engineer who becomes incapacitated.

A computerised or paper system that schedules maintenance by running hours or calendar intervals, records completed work, and tracks spare parts and defects. It provides evidence of maintenance for surveys and inspections.

Measuring parameters such as vibration, temperature, oil analysis, and performance to detect developing faults and decide maintenance timing. It supports condition-based rather than purely interval-based maintenance.

The reduction in transverse stability caused by liquid moving freely in a partly filled tank. It raises the ship's centre of gravity and reduces the righting lever, so tanks should be pressed up or kept empty when possible.

The vertical distance between the centre of gravity and the transverse metacentre. A small positive value gives a stiff or tender ship, and it is a key measure of initial transverse stability.

The ability of a ship to remain afloat and upright after flooding of one or more compartments. It is assessed using subdivision, watertight boundaries, and cross-flooding arrangements, and is documented in the damage control plan.

The condition of hull boundaries, doors, hatches, and fittings that must remain closed to prevent flooding. Maintaining it includes closing indicators, regular drills, and checking that watertight doors operate correctly.

The measures required by the Ballast Water Management Convention to prevent the transfer of invasive aquatic species, including treatment systems, exchange, record keeping, and a valid Ballast Water Management Plan.