QUESTION 10.1.3

Machinery-space rounds on continuously manned vessels

Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGEngine Control Room

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether scheduled rounds on a manned machinery space detect leakage, abnormal temperature, vibration, sound, level and operating trends before they become failures.

Ready onboard

0/6 complete

FREQUENCYRound intervals and responsible watchkeepers follow company procedure and operating condition.ROUTEThe route covers operating and standby machinery, bilges, tanks, purifier areas, steering gear and remote spaces.PHYSICAL CHECKThe watchkeeper uses sight, sound, smell and touch where safe, rather than copying control-room indications.LOGGINGReadings are recorded at the required interval and abnormal values are clearly identified.TRENDReadings are compared with normal ranges and earlier values, not treated as isolated numbers.HANDOVEROpen abnormalities and temporary controls pass explicitly to the relieving watch.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1What do you check that the automation system cannot show?

Look for local leakage, smell, vibration, unusual sound, hot spots, loose fittings, bilge condition and unsafe housekeeping.

2How do you respond to a slowly rising bearing temperature?

Verify locally, compare load and trend, notify as required and intervene before the alarm becomes the first action.

3Show one abnormal round entry and its closure.

Trace the reading or observation through notification, work order, repair and subsequent verification.

4Can a round be completed from the ECR?

No. Control-room data supports but does not replace the required physical inspection.

5How is an open defect handed over?

Record the condition, limitation, monitoring frequency and action, then obtain clear watchkeeper acknowledgement.

Where an observation may arise

PAPER ROUND

Readings were copied without a physical inspection.

MISSED SPACE

Remote or low-frequency areas were excluded from the route.

NO TREND

Abnormal movement was recorded repeatedly without recognition or action.

IMPOSSIBLE DATA

Identical or inconsistent readings undermine record credibility.

POOR HANDOVER

The relieving watchkeeper is unaware of an active abnormality.

Master's practical note

Walk part of the route with the duty engineer and compare one local indication with the log. The quality of the round is measured by what it detects, not by how neatly the sheet is completed.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: This question concerns vessels operated with a continuously manned machinery space. Where the ship also uses UMS periods, the controls in Question 10.1.4 apply to those periods.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 2, Version 1.0, Question 10.1.3
STCW Code section A-VIII/2
ICS Engine Room Procedures Guide
ISM Code section 10

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10