25 Important Points to Consider While Securing the Engine Room for Dry Docking
Once the vessel enters the dry dock for hull inspection, it is important that the ship’s engineer secure the ship’s propulsion plant and the engine room in the correct sequence to prevent any kind of damage or problem while restarting the plant once the dry-docking of the vessel is finished.
Following points must be considered once the ship enters the dry dock and before emptying the water from the dock to rest the ship on the keel blocks:
1. Ensure all the tanks in the engine room are at required level as demanded by the chief officer to achieve required trim for docking.
Related reading :
Maintenance of small tanks in the ship’s engine room ,
List of some important tanks on ship,
List of fuel, diesel, and lube oil tanks on ships.
2. Shut down all the auxiliary engines except one for providing the required power
Related Reading:
– Procedure for starting and stopping generators,
Important signs indicating auxiliary engine needs overhauling,
A step-by-step guide to overhauling generators on ships.
3. Isolate the sequential start system for generators
Related Reading:
How to synchronize generators on ships?,
Important points to consider while carrying out alternator maintenance of ship’s generator,
Important points for major overhauling of ship’s generator
4. Shut steam to jacket cooling water system
Related Reading:
General Overview of Central Cooling System of Ships
5. Keep the jacket cooling water pump running until the main engine is gradually cooled down
6. Transfer the main engine lube oil in the sump to lube oil settling tank by using a purifier
Related Reading:
Ways to optimize lube oil usage on ships
7. Ensure all auxiliary engines are shut down except one diesel engine supplying enough power
8. Before shutting down all the auxiliary engines, ensure they are changed over to diesel oil
Related Reading:
Fuel oil change over procedure
9. The main engine should be changed over to diesel oil prior to one hour of docking. If not, change over to diesel oil with fuel oil service tank return valve open until the line has been flushed with diesel oil
10. Shut down lube oil and fuel oil purifiers
11. Shut down deck machinery system and isolate it from the main switchboard
Related Reading:
Safety Devices for Main Switch Board
12. Shut down and isolate the auxiliary boiler. Allow it to cool naturally and once the pressure is below 1 bar, open the vent
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13. Once the boiler is shut down, stop and isolate the feed water system and distillate tank
14. Circulate diesel oil in the boiler fuel pipeline system before shutting down the fuel oil pumps
15. Shut down the stern tube lube oil system and if required, drain the lube oil system back to stern tube storage tank
16. Shut down the accommodation air conditioning system and refrigeration plant until the shore supply is connected to the ship
Related Reading:
8 Common Problems Found in Ship’s Refrigeration System
17. Shut the steam to the calorifier and switch on the electrical heating system
18. Ask shore in-charge for water connection required for running air conditioning and refrigeration system
19. Isolate ship’s fire pump and connect the shore fire connection to ship’s fire line
Related Reading:
What is international shore connection?
20. Check the frequency, voltage and phase sequence of the shore power
21. Isolate the emergency generator before connecting shore power
Related Reading:
Ways of Starting and Testing Emergency Generator
22. Shut down the running generator leading to blackout for connecting shore power
23. Connect the shore power to emergency switchboard
Related Reading:
24. Restart the jacket water pump for the generator until it is gradually cooled down to avoid thermal stresses. Once cooled, shut the pump
25. Secure the engine room fire fighting system including foam and CO2 fixed fire fighting system
Related Reading:
Mistakes not to make while handling CO2 Fire Fighting System
Inform the dry dock in charge that engine room is ready for docking and dock water can be emptied.
For the complete procedure of dry dock operations for Engine Room Department, check out our ebook:
Over to you..
Do you know any other important points that can be added to the article?
Let’s know in the comments below.
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Disclaimer :
The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
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About Author
An ardent sailor and a techie, Anish Wankhede has voyaged on a number of ships as a marine engineer officer. He loves multitasking, networking, and troubleshooting. He is the one behind the unique creativity and aesthetics at Marine Insight.
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Hi sir good day.i want become marrian engineer.i had 32 months experence as a oiler.present I am on board.my cdc panama.after 4 months possible to give exam for 3rd eng?if possible where I can give exam?
Hi Dear Anish,
We really searched the internet to find photos of Poker Gauge, But were unsuccessful.do you have picture it? If you have photos, please send us.
thanks,
Faraz Mirzaei
Dear Faraz,
I will send you the pic in the provided email.
Keep minimum bunker on board
Crankshaft defection before and aft docking for ME.
fins in.
Cooling water for fridges.
Bring slow speed engine to number one cylinder top dead center to facilitate accurate poker gage reading