Lesson 3. Duties in Emergency Situations

DUTIES IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

General emergency alarm

Alarm signal: seven (7) short blasts (or more) and one (1) long blast on ship's whistle and continuous sounding of ship's general ALARM.

When General Alarm sounds it does not necessarily means to Abandon Ship.

At the general emergency alarm the sailor must:

1. close the watertight doors, leading to the superstructure and other compartments;

2. get ready the life-boats for launching;

3. get ready the life-saving equipment.

If an able seaman is second in command of the damage control party he must get ready the portable firefighting appliances.

The crew on watch must remain in their positions on signal for Emergency Drill.

Fire alarm

Fire signal: groups of rapid rings for a period of 10 seconds on ship's bell and the same on ship's general alarm (electric).

Person discovering fire should immediately notify the bridge and fight the fire with available equipment until the Emergency Squad arrives.

In case of fire the sailor must:

1. break the glass of the fire-alarm box and press the button;

2. call up the bridge and inform the officer of the watch;

3. close the watertight doors, fire doors;

4. evacuate people if necessary;

5. bring the fire-crowbar, the fire-axe, sand and hoses to the seat of the fire;

6. bring the hand fire nozzle to the seat of the fire and operate it;

7. put out the fire with an extinguisher.

A sailor may also act as a messenger.

Immediately upon the fire emergency signal, fire pumps to be started, all watertight doors should be closed, and all fans and blowers to be stopped. Fire hoses to be led immediately out in the affected area as directed.

Flooding

Flooding signal: three long rings on general alarm bells.

In case of flooding the sailor must:

1. bring the collision mat and the sheets and make fast the collision mat;

2. stand by the control lanyard;

3. bring and make fast the hogging line;

4. stand by the winch;

5. if necessary, stop the hole with a cement box and sand, and liquid glass from the inner side.

 

Man overboard

Alarm signal: Immediately hail and pass to the bridge "Man overboard".

Upon hearing the signal "Man overboard" life rings, buoys must be thrown immediately into the sea, engines must be stopped, and lookout aloft must be sent.

Emergency Boat crew consisting of all seamen should immediately clear lee boat for launching.

At the "man overboard" alarm the sailor must:

1. screw the drain plug;

2. carry the painters;

3. bring the blankets;

4. release the boat gripe;

5. release the life-boat falls;

6. heave in the painters;

7. launch the life-boat;

8. act as a rower.

  

Boat alarm

Signals:

Commencing lowering: One(1) short blast on whistle

Stop lowering: Two (2) short blasts on whistle

At the boat alarm the sailor must:

1. screw the drain plugs;

2. release the boat gripe;

3. get ready the painters;

4. release the forward (aft) life-boat falls;

5. throw the life-rafts overboard;

6. ensure safe embarkation of the life-boats and rafts;

7. act as a helmsman.

Lifeboat Launching Procedure

1. uncover the lifeboat;

2. remove harbour pins;

3. release gripes, keel block fastening, boat davit stoppers;

4. screw the drain plug;

5. release hand-rail

6. lower the embarkation ladder;

7. check the life-boat supplies (fresh water, survival pack, blankets).

I. Answer the questions.

1. What doors must the sailor close at the general emergency alarm?

2. What must the sailor bring to the seat of  fire?

3. How can the sailor stop a hole?

4, When must the sailor screw the drain plug before or after launching a life-boat?

5. When must people (люди) take to (садиться) life-boats to ensure safe embarkation?

6. Where must you go

a) at the general emergency alarm;

b) at the fire alarm;

c) in case of flooding;

d) at the boat alarm;

e) at the "Man overboard" alarm.