Vessel Departure Checklist

Why it matters

A reliable departure depends on every critical system being prepared, tested, and confirmed before the vessel leaves port for open sea operations. You do not want to find out that a generator will not parallel, a steering gear motor will not run, or the starting air reservoirs are wet when the vessel is already manoeuvring. A structured vessel departure checklist for the engine room gives you:

Frequently Asked Questions

The engine room team works through it after the chief engineer is notified of an imminent departure and before the vessel leaves port. You verify communication, power, propulsion, steering, boiler, fuel and auxiliary systems in sequence, then sign off with an overall readiness level and a logbook reference.

You test the vessel's air, steam, and electric horns, check that the bridge-to-engine room communication systems are operational, synchronise the ship's clocks between bridge and engine room, and test the engine order telegraph across all command positions.

Yes. You confirm the primary generator is running and carrying load, start and parallel the secondary generator onto the bus, verify any standby generator is ready for immediate deployment if fitted, test the emergency generator for auto-start, and record the total electrical load on the switchboard.

You switch on and run both steering gear motors, carry out a full operational test per procedure PT28, and confirm propeller clearance with the duty deck officer.

You turn the main engine through several revolutions with adequate lubrication, then disengage and secure the turning gear in its stowed position. You test the main engine ahead and astern per bridge command and confirm all main engine systems are at full operational status.

You test the main and auxiliary boiler feed water pumps, bring the main and auxiliary boilers up to working pressure, prepare spare burners for immediate use, confirm the exhaust gas boiler or economizer circulating pump is running, and open heating steam supply to fuel oil service tanks as appropriate.

You bring daily, header, and sump tanks for fuel oil, marine diesel oil, lube oil, and fresh water to operational levels and drain water as applicable. You sound the engine room double bottom tanks, cofferdam, bilge tanks, and sludge or waste oil tanks.

You test the main fuel oil, lube oil, and cooling water pumps, confirm purifiers are operational with duplex or standby strainers cleaned, purged, and made immediately available, and record the fuel oil service tank circulating temperature.

You conduct a full operational test of the steering gear per procedure PT28 and record the total electrical load on the switchboard.

You confirm deck steam or hydraulic power is ready for deck machinery operation and confirm propeller clearance with the duty deck officer.

You record an overall engine room departure readiness level, add a logbook entry reference for the departure preparations, note any additional remarks or outstanding issues, and sign off to confirm the checks are complete.

Written by

Arne Reis

Founder

Process optimizer with 25 years of expertise, focused on operational excellence in quality, maintenance, EHS, and commissioning. Emphasizes innovative solutions and top-quality standards.

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