A chief engineer's perspective
Automation has removed from the ship's engineer the continuous physical interaction necessary to control the ship's plant, such that we now need only to monitor the plant and perform maintenance. The greater control achievable by automation allows...
Automation has removed from the ship's engineer the continuous physical interaction necessary to control the ship's plant, such that we now need only to monitor the plant and perform maintenance. The greater control achiev- able by automation allows engines and systems to remain within close desired operating parameters, thus reducing the need for maintenance.
Consequently, engineers now rely on the automation, and have little experience in manually controlling the plant. Be it that either the automation or base plant give a fault, reverting to manual control is difficult at best.
Perhaps an important management consideration should be how to manage without automation, so that in an emergency we can quickly restore or keep the ship under its own power. This is only achievable if engineers new to a ship are given time to trace the various systems, and have the hands-on opportunity to start and operate critical equipment.
Automation on ships is generally reliable. In terms of its direct management, the monitoring system must be verified, and the only way to do this is to check each measuring point for accurate read-out, plus (if appropriate) alarm and emergency response. Furthermore, the automation must be verified by observing what is actually happening against what should be happening.
If I were to have a 'wish list' it would be to ensure that the ship is delivered with easy-to-understand operating instructions for all of the micro-processor controlled equipment.
I would have a selector switch that hides all non-critical alarms. In the event of a blackout or other major failure, the number of alarms produced is correctly enormous, but the visual display of alarms is too much, and hinders the engineer.
I would have all cabin alarms fitted with a 'soft' audible start, rather than the sudden heart stopping sound that they currently emit.
And, alarms covering areas of the ship directly looked after by the deck department would not sound on the engine console. Such alarms should feed a separate panel that will alert a selected navigation officer.
Automation is expensive; not only due to first cost, but also because frequently a maker's technician is required to attend on board to repair the system. It is of no surprise, therefore, that some owners try to have ships built with manned engine rooms - after all, the minimum manning certificate will normally allow for an engineer to be on each sea watch!