Question 1

When the ER is finally entered after the fire, the team discovers approximately 2 tonnes of oily bilge water in the bilge that has accumulated during the fire fighting. The water is contaminated with HFO residues from the bilge fire source. The chief engineer says "We'll pump it overboard at sea — it's only 2 tonnes and we're in deep water."

What is the correct position?

Accepted Answer

The oily bilge water must not be pumped overboard without processing through the OWS to a maximum of 15 ppm. Under MARPOL Annex I, accidental contaminated bilge water is still subject to the discharge restrictions. It must be recorded in the Oil Record Book Part I and either processed onboard or discharged to port reception facilities. A fire event does not exempt the vessel from MARPOL MARPOL's emergency discharge exemption (Annex I Reg 4) applies to unavoidable accidental discharges occurring at the time of damage — not to subsequent planned overboard pumping of accumulated bilge water. The fire has ended; processing this water is now a routine MARPOL compliance matter. There is no minimum threshold for exemption — any oily water discharge above 15 ppm requires OWS or port reception. False ORB entries ("firefighting water" as a code for non-compliant discharge) are one of the most prosecuted MARPOL offences globally. The chief engineer's suggestion, if followed, could result in criminal prosecution.

Question 2

MV SOLWAY STAR, 1435. The engine room fixed fire detection alarm activates on the bridge panel — zone indicated is bilge area, below the main engine. The ER is manned — the chief engineer and two ratings are on watch below.

What is the OOW's FIRST action?

Accepted Answer

Sound the general alarm immediately. Inform the Master. Do NOT ring the engine room to ask them to investigate — they are in the fire zone. The general alarm brings the emergency team to their stations and ensures the CO₂ room and fire parties are ready before any further assessment Ringing the engine room is the most common and most dangerous instinct when a fire alarm sounds — it asks people in the fire zone to investigate and reassure you. The correct response is immediate general alarm: it activates the emergency team, gets the CO₂ room manned with the correct personnel, and starts the accountability process. A false alarm muster costs 15 minutes. A delayed alarm in a real bilge fire on a naphtha carrier costs lives. The decision to discharge CO₂ will be made by the Master with full accountability — not by an OOW who has run to the CO₂ room alone.

Question 3

Thirty seconds after the general alarm, the chief engineer radios the bridge: "I can see smoke near the bilge pump. I'm going to check if it's a small oil fire — I'll call you back in two minutes." The fire party is mustering on deck.

What is the Master's response?

Accepted Answer

Order the chief engineer and ALL engine room personnel to evacuate immediately and close the ER fire dampers and watertight doors. Do not allow investigation without full BA team and hose in place. Smoke in an ER bilge area of a naphtha carrier is a serious fire risk — vapour ignition can occur in seconds The bilge area of a chemical tanker carrying naphtha (flash point −40°C) means flammable vapour is present at ambient temperature. A small visible fire can flash over in seconds if the fuel supply (oil in bilge) is not interrupted. Allowing a solo investigation without BA, without a charged hose, and without the fire team in position violates every principle of fire fighting practice. The chief engineer's instinct to deal with it quickly is understandable — and potentially fatal. Close the space, get personnel out, assess from outside.