7.4 Machinery controls
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - 1989 MODU Code – Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 1989 – Resolution A.649(16) - Chapter 7 – Machinery and Electrical Installations for Self-Propelled Units - 7.4 Machinery controls

7.4 Machinery controls

  7.4.1 Main and auxiliary machinery essential for the propulsion of the unit should be provided with effective means for its operation and control. A pitch indicator should be provided on the navigating bridge for controllable pitch propellers.

  7.4.2 Where remote control of propulsion machinery from the navigating bridge is provided and the machinery spaces are intended to be manned, the following should apply:

  • .1 the speed, direction of thrust and, if applicable, the pitch of the propeller should be fully controllable from the navigating bridge under all sailing conditions, including manoeuvring;

  • .2 the remote control should be performed, for each independent propeller, by a control device so designed and constructed that its operation does not require particular attention to the operational details of the machinery. Where more than one propeller is designed to operate simultaneously, these propellers may be controlled by one control device;

  • .3 the main propulsion machinery should be provided with an emergency stopping device on the navigating bridge and independent from the bridge control system;

  • .4 propulsion machinery orders from the navigating bridge should be indicated in the main machinery control station or at the manoeuvring platform as appropriate;

  • .5 remote control of the propulsion machinery should be possible from only one station at a time; at one control station interconnected control units are permitted. There should be at each station an indicator showing which station is in control of the propulsion machinery. The transfer of control between navigating bridge and machinery spaces should be possible only in the machinery space or machinery control room;

  • .6 it should be possible to control the propulsion machinery locally, even in the case of failure in any part of the remote control system;

  • .7 the design of the remote control system should be such that in case of its failure an alarm will be given and the preset speed and direction of thrust be maintained until local control is in operation, unless the Administration considers it impracticable;

  • .8 indicators should be fitted on the navigating bridge for:

    • .8.1 propeller speed and direction in case of fixed pitch propellers;

    • .8.2 propeller speed and pitch position in case of controllable pitch propellers;

  • .9 an alarm should be provided at the navigating bridge and in the machinery space to indicate low starting air pressure set at a level which still permits main engine starting operations. If the remote control system of the propulsion machinery is designed for automatic starting, the number of automatic consecutive attempts which fail to produce a start should be limited to safeguard sufficient starting air pressure for starting locally.

  7.4.3 Where the main propulsion and associated machinery including sources of main electrical supply are provided with various degrees of automatic or remote control and are under continuous manned supervision from a control room, this control room should be designed, equipped and installed so that the machinery operation will be as safe and effective as if it were under direct supervision; for this purpose 8.3 to 8.6 should apply as appropriate. Particular consideration should be given to protection against fire and flooding.

Parent topic: Chapter 7 – Machinery and Electrical Installations for Self-Propelled Units
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