Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)RegulationsMerchant Shipping (Training, Certification and Safe Manning) Regulations, 2021AnnexuresAnnexure 2 : Watchkeeping Arrangements and Principles for Ships other than Fishing VesselsPart 4-2 : Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering watch13. Taking over the watch |
| 56 | The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall not hand over the watch to the relieving officer if there is reason to believe that the latter is obviously not capable of carrying out the watchkeeping duties effectively, in which case the chief engineer officer shall be notified. |
| 57 | The relieving officer of the engineering watch shall ensure that the members of the relieving engineering watch are apparently fully capable of performing their duties effectively. |
| 58 | Prior to taking over the engineering watch, relieving officers shall satisfy themselves regarding at least the following: |
| .1 | The standing orders and special instructions of the chief engineer officer relating to the operation of the ship’s systems and machinery; |
| .2 | the nature of all work being performed on machinery and systems, the personnel involved and potential hazards; |
| .3 | the level and, where applicable, the condition of water or residues in bilges, ballast tanks, slop tanks, reserve tanks, fresh water tanks, sewage tanks and any special requirements for use or disposal of the contents thereof; |
| .4 | the condition and level of fuel in the reserve tanks, settling tank, day tank and other fuel storage facilities; |
| .5 | any special requirements relating to sanitary system disposals; |
| .6 | condition and mode of operation of the various main and auxiliary systems, including the electrical power distribution system; |
| .7 | where applicable, the condition of monitoring and control console equipment, and which equipment is being operated manually; |
| .8 | where applicable, the condition and mode of operation of automatic boiler controls such as flame safeguard control systems, limit control systems, combustion control systems, fuel-supply control systems and other equipment related to the operation of steam boilers; |
| .9 | any potentially adverse conditions resulting from bad weather, ice, or contaminated or shallow water; |
| .10 | any special modes of operation dictated by equipment failure or adverse ship conditions; |
| .11 | the reports of engine-room ratings relating to their assigned duties; |
| .12 | the availability of fire-fighting appliances; and |
| .13 | the state of completion of the engine-room log. |