Shanghai MSA and Shandong MSA had tightened control on main engine failures in year 2023. Basis those observed in 2023, China MSA issued a notice recently announcing a nationwide campaign focusing on prevention of vessel mechanical and electrical failures in Chinese waters from Apr 7th to Oct 31st 2024.
During this campaign vessels are required to do self check and shall develop self check checklist to enhance the maintenance on the machinery.
SELF CHECK
- Chinese flag vessels should enhance maintenance of vessels’ mechanical and Chinese waters, asking them to conduct self-check on maintenance of the mechanical and electrical equipment. Shipping companies should formulate a key-items check list that is applicable to their vessels, by refer to the attached “Guide on Special Self-Check to Prevent Vessel Mechanical and Electrical Failures” (“The Guide”). Vessels should conduct self-check before sailing and rectify potential problems
identified during the self-check. - Local ship agents should alert the foreign vessels that are about to enter into Chinese water and reminding them for self check.
- Classification societies as well as domestic and international ship survey firms should strengthen the checking and testing of vessels including new building, modification, equipment maintenance and upgrading, etc., in order to reduce the possibility of mechanical and electrical failures
In case of mechanical and electrical failures, vessels should voluntarily report to local MSA and accept the special safety check by MSA if required. Vessels that don’t voluntarily report will be dealt with severely according to the law.
MSA SPECIAL CAMPAIGN
Local MSA shall be conducting detailed check on vessel mechanical and electrical equipment during routine safety check. If a vessel is found to have had mechanical and electrical failure, in principle local MSA should conduct special check. For vessels that have had two or more mechanical or electrical failures within the last 12 months, MSA will invite the shipping company and ship inspection firm to conduct joint inspection and require the vessel to submit failure analysis report and prevention plan of mechanical and electrical failures
MSA GUIDE ON SELF CHECK
MSA Guide on self check covers following.
- Whether the main propulsion machinery (main engine) is in normal condition.
- Whether the alarms, remote monitoring and other auxiliary equipment of vessel’s main propulsion are in normal condition.
- Whether the vessel’s steam boiler is in order.
- Whether the vessel’s main power is in order.
- Whether the emergency power supply is in order.
- Whether the steering gear is in normal condition.
- The competency and familiarity of crew members with the operation of mechanical and electrical equipment within the scope of their duties.
- Whether the system documents related to electromechanical equipment are effectively implemented on the vessel.
- Other problems that may cause mechanical and electrical failures of vessels