Engine-room watchkeeping
STCW Reg VIII/2, taking over the watch, UMS alarms, fatigue check.
Why it matters
An engine-room watch fault — missed alarm, mishandled fuel changeover, undetected leak — can leave a vessel blacked out in a narrow channel.
Common hazards
- Fatigue from a previous watch.
- Unfamiliarity with UMS alarm priorities.
- Fuel changeover (HFO/MGO) at the wrong moment.
- Bilge / sludge handling mistakes.
Practical checklist
- Read the rough log and engineer's standing orders before taking over.
- Walk the spaces — temperatures, pressures, levels, leaks.
- Confirm UMS bridge handover and dead-man alarm.
- Review work permits and known defects.
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Primary sources
High confidence
Last verified