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Chapter Law Content

Title: Seafarer's Service Regulations CH
Category: Ministry of Transportation and Communications(交通部)
Chapter III Responsibilities
Section 4 Engine department
Article 41
The seamen that belong to the engine department refer to the following positions:
1. Chief engineer officer, second engineer officer, engineer officer, electric officer, electric cadet, and engineer cadet.
2. Engineer assistant, chief mechanic head, deputy chief mechanic head, mechanic, deputy mechanic, copper technician, electric technician, pump technician, air conditioning technician, and engineer trainee.
3. Other seamen that make up the engine department.
Article 42
The engine department officers shall assume the following responsibilities:
1. Operation, performance, maintenance, and repair issues of the main and auxiliary engines, boilers, motors, etc.
2. Maintenance, repair, and other matters related to deck machinery.
3. Recording and properly maintaining of the engineering logbook, engineer summary logbook, brief histories of machinery, equipment directories, facility catalogs, telegram books, and other records.
4. Management and maintenance of firefighting, explosive, and anti-poison equipment.
5. Application, acceptance, and maintenance of fuel, materials, spare parts, and tools.
6. Maintenance and repair of the internal hull.
7. Management, assessment, and training of the engine department personnel.
8. Onboard safety and security.
9. Other matters related to the engine department.
Article 43
Officers responsible for the engineering watch shall guide the relevant seamen to perform duties and pay particular attention to the following matters:
1. Control the automatic operation of the main and auxiliary engines and boiler in the engine cabin, as well as monitor a number of instrument lights in order to maintain normal conditions.
2. Maintain a proper fuel supply, lubricating with oil and fresh water, ensure the normal level of pressure gauges, thermometers, and water level indicators, and make sure that circulating cooling water is running smoothly.
3. Ensure the operation of the main engine stays at the indicated speed without capriciously changing it unless approved by the chief engineer officer or the bridge.
4. Maintain the normal water level of the boiler, properly regulate powerful ventilation pressure, and maintain the pressure within the boiler.
5. Maintain the cleanliness of the cabin’s interior. Water shall be treated with oil-water separation devices and can only be pumped overboard once it meets emission standards and the master’s approval is obtained in order to avoid polluting the ocean environment.
6. Should the vessel encounter waves that cause the ship’s main machine to run freely and is the ship has no speed adjustment equipment, close attention shall be paid and proper practices shall be applied for proper speed adjustment.
7. For any irregular sound related to mechanical operation or any unusual circumstances, operation speed shall be reduced, and necessary emergency measures shall be implemented. Such conditions shall be reported to the chief engineer officer, the master, and the deck officer responsible for the navigational watch so that the appropriate actions can be taken.
8. Maintain the normal and steady voltage of the electricity supply from the engine department to all other departments to prevent power interruptions.
9. Remain alert at all times, receive and follow commands from the bridge, and implement appropriate measures.
10. Inform relieving personnel about the machine running situation, orders received, and other important matters at shift changes.
11. All relevant matters shall be recorded in detail in the engineer logbook while keeping watch.
12. Other matters indicated by superiors.
Article 44
The chief engineer officer shall adhere to the master’s orders to manage all matters related to the engine department and guide all levels of seamen within the engine department to perform their tasks. The chief engineer officer’s responsibilities are listed below:
1. Evaluate the work and behavior of all seamen in the engine department.
2. Manage the operation, maintenance, and repair of machinery, equipment, and accessories.
3. Check supplies and properly maintain the required conditions for fuel, materials, and spare parts, and be responsible for applying and supervising their proper utilization.
4. Properly maintain and review the engineering logbook, engineer summary logs, brief histories of the machine, equipment catalog, directory of accessories, and other records that fall under the responsibility of the chief engineer officer.
5. Supervise seamen within the department to carry out survival and firefighting safety drills, in addition to ensuring the operation and maintenance of emergency equipment.
6. Schedule engineering watch shifts for seamen in the engine department according to the master’s orders.
7. Coordinate between the engine and deck departments.
8. Other matters stipulated by international conventions, laws, and regulations, as well as the employer’s guidelines and items assigned by the master.
Upon handing over duties, the chief engineer officer shall inform the successor of details regarding the special properties of the ship and engineer operating conditions. The administered instruments and public properties shall be handed over, and then both the chief engineer office and the successor shall sign and report it to the master.
Article 45
The second engineer officer shall keep watch while the ship is sailing or in port, shall comply with the orders of the chief engineer officer, and manage technical and administrative matters of the engine department, as well as guide all seamen within the engine department to perform their tasks. The second engineer officer shall assume the following responsibilities:
1. Help the chief engineer officer to evaluate the work and behavior of all the seamen in the engine department.
2. Assume responsibility for organizing the inventory of cabin equipment, accessories, and spare parts.
3. Oversee the application, maintenance, and repair of both main and auxiliary machines, as well as boilers.
4. Ensure the proper utilization and storing of fuel, materials, spare parts, and tools required by the engine department.
5. Supervise the cleaning and mechanical maintenance of the engine department and assign tasks to the department’s seamen.
6. Develop an engine department maintenance plan and apply for fuel, materials, spare parts, and tools.
7. Keep count of the seamen in the engine department and inspect any private carriage for passengers or cargo; prepare a fuel and fresh water reserves report and provide it to the chief engineer officer prior to the ship setting sail.
8. Implement training, instruction, and evaluation for engineer cadets.
9. Other matters stipulated by international conventions, laws, and regulations, as well as the employer’s guidelines and matters instructed by superiors.
Upon handing over duties, the second engineer officer shall inform the successor of the details regarding special properties of the ship and engineer operating conditions. The administered instruments, atlas, and public properties shall be handed over, and then the second engineer office and the successor shall jointly sign and report it to the chief engineer officer.
Article 46
The third engineer officer shall keep watch while the ship is sailing or in port and shall comply with the orders of superiors to assist in the management matters of the engine department with the following responsibilities:
1. Help the second engineer officer to perform operations, maintenance, and repairs for both main and auxiliary machines, boilers, and other deck machinery.
2. Assume responsibility of the operations, maintenance, and repairs of the auxiliary machinery of generators, steering gears, freezers, oil pumps, donkey boilers, and freshwater making machine.
3. Be responsible for water quality testing and treatment.
4. Be responsible for warming up main and auxiliary machinery prior to the ship setting sail. Cooperate with the deck officer to test steering gear, calibrate deck watch, and test the bell.
5. Measure the stock of fuel oil and various lubricants and oils and submit a list of supplies to the chief engineer officer after making calculations.
6. Properly maintain and record relevant information in the engineer summary log and regularly fill in the midday report form.
7. Other matters stipulated by international conventions, laws, and regulations, as well as the employer’s guideline and matters instructed by superiors.
The responsibilities of individual engineer officers on a ship with more than two engineer officers shall be determined by the employer according to the provisions above.
The responsibilities of the engineer officer on a ship that does not have said position shall be assumed by personnel designated by the chief engineer officer.
Article 46-1
The electric officer shall comply with the orders of superiors to help with the management matters of the engine department with the following responsibilities:
1. Help the second engineer officer perform operations, maintenance, and repairs for both main and auxiliary machines, boilers, and the deck machinery control system.
2. Assume responsibility of the operations, maintenance, and repair of the auxiliary machinery control system of generators, steering gears, freezers, oil pumps, donkey boilers, fresh water making machines, and oil purifiers.
3. Assume responsibility of the operations, maintenance, and repair of the deck machinery control system of the anchor gears, mooring winches, gangway lifters, cranes, and the gas and liquid cargo operating system.
4. Assume responsibility of the maintenance and repair of such electronic navigation instrument systems as the radar system, the GPS system, the INS system, the gyrocompass, the ship’s speed recorder, the depthometer, the automatic navigator, etc.
5. Assume responsibility of the maintenance and repair of such communication systems as the automatic telephone exchange, the emergency call system, the intercom system, the public broadcasting system, etc.
6. Assume responsibility of the maintenance and repair of such daily life equipment systems as the elevator system, the kitchen electrical equipment, the lighting system, etc.
7. The electric officer shall assume responsibility for other matters according to international conventions, laws, and regulations, as well as the employer’s guidelines and matters assigned by superiors.
Article 46-2
The electric technician shall comply with the orders of superiors to help with management matters of the engine department with the following responsibilities:
1. Help the electric officer perform monitoring, maintenance, and repairs for both main and auxiliary machines, boilers, and the deck machinery electric power system.
2. Help the electric officer perform monitoring, maintenance, and repairs of the marine auxiliary control system.
3. Help the electric officer perform monitoring, maintenance, and repairs of the deck machine control system.
4. Help the electric officer perform maintenance and repairs of the electronic navigation instrument system.
5. Help the electric officer perform maintenance and repairs of the communication system.
6. Help the electric officer perform maintenance and repairs of the daily life equipment system.
7. The electric technician shall help with other matters according to international conventions, laws, and regulations, as well as employer’s guidelines and matters assigned by superiors.
Article 46-3
Able seafarer engine shall assist with the affairs of the engineer department and shall have the following duties:
1. Adhere to the orders of the chief engineer officer and officer responsible for the engineering watch during navigation and berth.
2. Assist with the verification of the tank bottom water and ballast water system procedures.
3. Assist with fueling and fuel transfer related procedures.
4. Responsible for the use, maintenance and repair of valves, pumps, cranes and hanging equipment, hatches, watertight doors, sideports and relevant equipment and machinery.
5. Responsible for the safe use of electric equipment.
Article 47
All seamen of the engine department shall be prepared in their designated positions while the vessel enters and leaves port, is sailing, or is berthed at anchor.
Article 48
The chief mechanic head, deputy chief mechanic head, mechanic, electrician, and electric technician shall be rotated with regard to keeping watch pursuant to the regulations and shall comply with the orders of the second engineer officer or engineer officer responsible for the engineering watch to handle matters of the engine department.
Engineer cadets shall help with and practice works of each level of seaman, supervised by the chief engineer officer and other high-ranking officers. Engineer cadets’ tasks shall be assigned by the second engineer officer and evaluated pursuant to the training items and competency assessments stipulated in the onboard training record book and/or the reinforcement training record book for operation-level engineer officers.
Engineer trainees shall help with the work of rating trainees, supervised by the chief mechanic head and other ratings. Engineer trainees’ tasks shall be assigned by the second engineer officer and assessed pursuant to the training items and competency assessments stipulated in the onboard training record book for assistant level engineer officers that form part of the engineering watch.
Electric cadets shall help with and practice works of each level of seaman, supervised by the chief engineer officer and other high-ranking officers. Engineer cadets’ tasks shall be assigned by the second engineer officer and assessed pursuant to the training items and competency assessments stipulated in the electric officer onboard training record book.
Seamen that do not have a certificate of competency issued by a competent authority shall not be allowed to assume responsibility for an engineering watch.