Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173:body:0:p88
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 227795–230658

under way. If it is necessary to work on steering gear when at sea, the ship should be stopped and the rudder immobilised by closing the valves on the hydraulic cylinders or by other appropriate means.

18.9              Control rooms and unattended machinery spaces
Only authorised persons should enter a control room or an unattended machinery space.
Seafarers, including the engineer officer in charge, must report by telephone or other means provided to the bridge/deck duty office before entering the space, at regular intervals when in the space and when leaving the space.
When watch keeping is carried out from a control room, the engineer officer should ensure that a competent person patrols the machinery space at regular intervals.
Any alarms that have operated should be reset before the machinery space is left. No alarm system should be isolated without the permission of the chief engineer.
At any time when the machinery spaces are to be left unattended, a responsible engineer officer should ensure that all instruments and alarm systems of the unattended machinery space are in good operational order and that all persons have been accounted for and have left the space.
Notices of safety precautions to be observed by seafarers working in control-rooms and unattended machinery spaces should be clearly displayed at entrances.
When machinery is under bridge control, the bridge should always be advised when a change in machinery setting is contemplated by the engine room staff, and before reverting to engine room control of the machinery.

18.10 Hydraulic systems
Hydraulic systems should be frequently inspected by a responsible officer and be properly maintained and kept free of leaks.
The system should be purged as necessary to avoid erratic operations that could be dangerous to seafarers.
Before repairs to or maintenance of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment is undertaken, any load should be removed or, if this is not practical, adequately supported by other means. All pressure in the system should be released. The part being worked on should be isolated from the power source and a warning notice displayed by the isolating valve, which should be locked.
Precautions should be taken against the possibility of residual pressure being released when unions or joints are broken.
For safe operation of the hydraulic and pneumatic system, the working area and tools, as well as the system and its components, should be kept clean during servicing work. Ensure that replacement units are clean and free from any contamination, especially fluid passages.
Only replacement components that comply with manufacturers' recommendations should be used. Any renewed or replacement item of equipment should be properly inspected or tested before being operated.
Since vapours from hydraulic fluid may be flammable, naked lights should be kept