Emergency Organization:

• Set up to operate in emergencies.
• Purpose in each situation:
  • Raise the alarm and muster at designated station.
  • Locate and assess incident and possible dangers.
  • Organize manpower and safety equipment.

Four Elements of Emergency Organization:

• Command Centre:
  • One group in control, with Master or senior officer in charge.
  • Means of internal and external communication.
  • Communication critical; provision backups (spare batteries for W/T sets, spare W/T sets, loudhailers, PA system, messengers).
• Emergency Party:
  • Under senior officer command.
  • Assess emergency, report to command centre, advise actions and assistance needed (on board or ashore if in port).
• Back-up Emergency Party:
  • Under officer command.
  • Stand by to assist emergency party as instructed; provide backup (equipment, stores, medical services including CPR).
• Engineering Group:
  • Under Chief Engineer or senior engineering officer.
  • Provide emergency assistance as instructed.
  • Prime responsibility for emergencies in main machinery spaces; may provide additional manpower.

Plan Applicability:

• Arrangements apply equally in port and at sea.

Duties:

• Operation of remote controls (main engine stop, ventilation stops, lubricating/fuel oil transfer pump stops, dump valves, CO2 discharge, watertight doors).
• Operation of essential services (emergency generator/switchboard, emergency fire/bilge pumps).

Balance Crew:

• Rest of crew (not allotted duties) act as backup.
• Duties: Accumulate passengers/herd away from danger to evacuation decks; escort feeble/injured to safe places; render first aid/trauma counseling; fill extinguishers; muster fire hoses; recharge/supply W/T batteries; take provisions/clothing/water if abandoning ship; prepare survival crafts without panic; make rounds of areas adjacent to fire.

Preliminary Action:

• Discoverer raises alarm, passes information to officer on duty who alerts organization.
• Those on scene attempt immediate control until organization takes effect.

Specific Examples:

• Galley Fire: Dangerous due to spread to accommodation, fumes from plastics/cooking oil. Person in charge/first locator extinguishes after alerting watch officer (small fires initially). Use fire dampers; DCP extinguishers on stove/electric circuits; foam/DCP for cooking oil fire in provision locker.
• Accommodation Fire: Caused by short circuit, smoking, flammable material. Items needed: DCP extinguishers, fire hoses (low-moderate pressure), insulated fire axe, fireman’s outfit, safety lamps, fire blanket.