QUESTION 10.1.4

Machinery-space rounds during manned and UMS periods

Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGEngine Control Room

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether pre-UMS and periodic rounds establish a safe unattended condition, and whether alarms, call systems and entries support effective monitoring while the machinery space is unmanned.

Ready onboard

0/6 complete

UMS CHECKThe pre-UMS checklist confirms plant configuration, standby machinery, alarms, bilges, fire safety and unattended-space readiness.ROUND TIMINGInspection frequency reflects company procedure, machinery condition, weather and operational risk.ALARM PATHMachinery alarms, duty-engineer call and engineers' alarm paths are tested and correctly assigned.ENTRY CONTROLAnyone entering during UMS follows bridge or duty-engineer notification and dead-man arrangements.DEFECT LIMITDefects that invalidate UMS notation or safe unattended operation result in manning and escalation.RECORDSUMS start, rounds, entries, alarms and return to manned status are accurately logged.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1What must be confirmed before changing to UMS?

Complete the vessel checklist, including standby plant, alarm transfer, bilges, fire hazards, leaks and machinery condition.

2Who receives an alarm during UMS?

Identify the duty system, cabin or public-space escalation path and the response if the first call is not acknowledged.

3When must the engine room remain manned?

When required by operations, company procedure, class limitation, alarm or critical defect, or the Chief Engineer's risk decision.

4How is an isolated alarm managed?

Record and authorise the isolation, assess consequences, apply compensating monitoring and restore it promptly.

5Show the last UMS entry after an alarm.

Link the alarm time, attendance, diagnosis, action, clearance and bridge notification.

Where an observation may arise

FALSE UMS STATUS

The machinery space was recorded unmanned despite a condition requiring attendance.

ALARM TRANSFER

The duty call or escalation path was not correctly set or tested.

CHECKLIST GAP

UMS was entered without completing the required inspection.

UNCONTROLLED ENTRY

A person entered alone without communication or dead-man protection.

ISOLATED SAFETY

A critical alarm or automatic function was disabled without formal control.

Master's practical note

Review one alarm that occurred during UMS. The decisive evidence is the elapsed response, diagnosis and restored protection, not the fact that an alarm printout exists.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: Apply the vessel's class notation, flag requirements and approved automation arrangement. UMS capability does not require the machinery space to remain unmanned when conditions make that unsafe.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 2, Version 1.0, Question 10.1.4
SOLAS Chapter II-1 Part E
STCW Code section A-VIII/2
ICS Engine Room Procedures Guide

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10