Document: QA-032C
Issue Date: 01.05.24
TMS CARDIFF GAS LTD Engine Department (X-DF) Manual (QA-032C) Revision: 2.50
Filing: HSSQE
7. Periodically Attended Machinery Spaces (UMS)
7. PERIODICALLY ATTENDED MACHINERY SPACES
(UMS)
7.1. Periodically Attended machinery spaces – (UMS)
Where vessels are equipped and able to operate with periodically attended machinery spaces (UMS) it is important to ensure
that all safety and monitoring devices and alarms are in fully operational condition and are correctly calibrated, adjusted and
maintained.
When the Engine Room is being operated in the periodical unattended mode the designated duty engineer shall be
immediately available and on call to attend the Machinery Space.
Prior to changing from manned to unmanned mode it is important to ensure that all machinery is operating satisfactorily, that
service tanks are filled or emptied as required and that stand by equipment is properly aligned.
The engineers stand by alarm system shall be tested to ensure that the system is fully operational before the changeover
takes place.
Whenever the duty engineer enters and leaves the machinery space during periods of unattended operation he must inform
the duty Officer of the Watch on the Bridge.
If the operation of periodically attended machinery spaces requires the presence of a single officer or rating for extended
periods the Chief Engineer shall, without fail, revert to the fully manned condition.
The practice of leaving a single person to maintain a watch in the machinery space during UMS operation is strictly
forbidden.
7.2. Suspension of UMS
All company vessels which are designed to operate with a periodically unmanned machinery space shall operate unmanned
at all times unless instructed otherwise by the company for specific reasons.
The Master shall instruct the Chief Engineer to suspend unmanned machinery operations when there is an increased level of
risk to the vessel due to changes in the navigational or operational conditions.
In particular unmanned machinery space operations shall be suspended for navigational reasons following provisions
of MRS-839 Watchkeeping Arrangements.
Unmanned machinery space operations shall be suspended for the following operational reasons:
During ballast water exchange procedures
During any other operation which the Chief Engineer considers that the presence of duty engine room personnel within
the engine room is warranted.
7.3. Dead Man Alarm
The “Dead Man Alarm” is a safety device which permits a single person to enter the machinery space for the purposes of
maintaining rounds or investigating secondary alarms when the vessel is operating in unmanned condition. It requires
activation upon entering the space and pressing a re-activation point before a certain period of time passes. It is
recommended that the time is set for a maximum period of 15 minutes.
The duty engineer shall activate the “Dead Man Alarm” system on entering the machinery space and shall deactivate the
system immediately prior to leaving the space.
This alarm system shall be regularly checked and maintained to ensure that the correct operation is available at all times
when it is required.
In the event that the “Dead Man Alarm” is out of order no person shall enter the engine room alone.
SQEMS UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT - PRINTED ON 22/05/2024 Page 1/3
Document: QA-032C
Issue Date: 01.05.24
TMS CARDIFF GAS LTD Engine Department (X-DF) Manual (QA-032C) Revision: 2.50
Filing: HSSQE
7.4. Changing to UMS operation
Prior to changing from a manned engine room to unmanned machinery space operations the engine room, machinery and
alarm systems shall be properly checked and be verified. Main and auxiliary machinery
The proper operation of the main engine, diesel generators and auxiliary boilers shall be verified.
When the auxiliary boiler(s) are in operation the Chief Engineer shall determine whether or not it is safe to leave the engine
room unattended. If, due to anticipated changing circumstances it is felt that duty engine room personnel shall attend the
engine room to monitor the auxiliary boiler(s) the engine room shall be properly manned.
7.4.1. Service tanks
The correct status for all cooling water header tanks, lubricating oil header and gravity tanks, fuel service tanks and steering
gear hydraulic tanks shall be confirmed.
Any incorrect level shall be rectified prior to changing over to UMS operation.
7.4.2. Other tanks
The correct status of all waste oil, sludge, bilge water and other like tanks shall be confirmed prior to changing over to UMS
operation.
7.4.3. Stand by machinery
The correct status of all stand by machinery, to ensure automatic starting in the event of failure of the units that are running at
the time of changeover, shall be confirmed prior to changing over to UMS operations
7.4.4. Alarms
The correct functioning of all alarm systems shall be confirmed prior to changing over to UMS operations.
In particular the following alarms shall be verified:
Bilge Alarms
Dead Man Alarm
Engine Room Fire & Gas Detections alarms
Main Engine Oil Mist Detector alarm
Engineers call alarm
Duty Engineers “On Call” cabin alarm
It is strictly forbidden to changeover to UMS operation if any of these alarms are isolated, de-activated or in non-operational
condition.
Upon completion of all required checks the form, TEC-542C ER Checklists (XDF), shall be fully completed, the fact entered in
the Engine Room Log Book and the bridge shall be notified of the change of engine room status to UMS operation.
7.5. Final round
Whenever the vessel is being operated in the unmanned mode the duty engineer shall perform a final round of the machinery
spaces to ensure that all is in order before retiring to rest. When performing the final round the duty engineer shall:
1. Notify the Bridge that he has entered the space
2. Activate the Dead Man Alarm system and switch alarm status to “Manned”
3. Perform the final round
4. Record the time of the final round in the Engine Log Book
5. De-activate the Dead Man Alarm system and switch alarm status to “Unmanned”
6. Notify the Bridge when he has left the space;
7. Report to the Chief Engineer the condition of the machinery.
SQEMS UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT - PRINTED ON 22/05/2024 Page 2/3
Document: QA-032C
Issue Date: 01.05.24
TMS CARDIFF GAS LTD Engine Department (X-DF) Manual (QA-032C) Revision: 2.50
Filing: HSSQE
SQEMS UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT - PRINTED ON 22/05/2024 Page 3/3
