Maritime Technical English

UNIT 1
SAFETY & SECURITY
• Warm up
• Reading: What is Marine Safety?

• Some 74 SOLAS Chapters

• Vocabulary practice: LSA

• Reading: ISM & ISPS Codes
• Reading: Aspects Included in Personal
Safety on board
• Personal Protective Equipment

• Vocabulary Practice

• Listening Comprehension

Objectives:
At the end of this unit the learner is expected to:

• Know about Marine Safety

• Discuss about some SOLAS chapters
• Talk about the differences between Safety and
Security
• Talk about Personal Protective Equipment
• Understand about the Muster List

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 Unit 8 SAFETY & SECURITY
l. Warm Up
1. Think about these questions. Try to answer them. Discuss with your partners.
1. How do you define safety?
2. Do you know the difference between safety and security?
3. What do you know about the ISM and ISPS codes?
4. How do you keep safe?

II. Read
What is Maritime Safety?
Maritime safety is defined as “the protection of the crew and passengers aboard vessels, and

also people who work or live near bodies of water, from hazards and the risk of injury or fatality”.

To ensure safety at sea, the IMO has developed and adopted regulations, standards,

conventions and codes, such as: SOLAS Convention, Collision Regulations, International Safety

Management Code (ISM) Code, International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS), among others.

The SOLAS Convention is considered one of the most important treaties concerning the safety

of merchant ships. The main objective of SOLAS is to specify minimum standards for the construction,

equipment and operation of ships, compatible with their safety.

SOLAS includes articles setting out general obligations and it is divided into (14) fourteen

chapters.

1. After you read the text above, complete the following statements. Practice with a partner.

1. Safety is the protection of people from __________________________________

2. IMO has adopted conventions, regulations and codes to ______________________________

3. Some conventions and codes adopted by IMO are ___________________________________

4. The main objective of SOLAS is ________________________________________________

5. SOLAS is divided into _______________________________________

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 For the purpose of this unit about safety, we will take a look at a few 74 SOLAS chapters.

SOLAS Chapter III deals with

SOLAS Chapter II-1 is SOLAS Chapter II-2 refers
life-saving appliances and
about the construction – to fire protection, fire
arrangements. It includes
subdivision and stability, detection and fire
requirements for life boats,
machinery and electrical extinction. This chapter
rescue boats and life jackets
installations. This chapter explains about fire safety
according to type of ship.
describes the subdivision of provisions for all ships with
passenger ships into detailed measures for
watertight compartments so passenger ships, cargo ships SOLAS Chapter IV is about
that after damage to its hull, a and tankers. radiocommunications.
vessel will remain afloat and Passenger and cargo ships
stable. must carry Global Maritime
SOLAS Chapter V refers to Distress Safety System
the safety of navigation. This (GMDSS). This covers radio
SOLAS Chapter VI – Carriage of
chapter illustrates that all equipment, satellite Emergency
Cargoes
vessels must be manned safely, Position Indicating Radio
SOLAS Chapter VII – Carriage of also seafarers must be aware of Beacons (EPIRBs) and Search
dangerous goods potential hazards to navigation, and Rescue Transponders
and ship’s Masters are obligated (SARTs).
SOLAS Chapter XI-1 – Special to assist other ships and crew in
measures to enhance maritime distress.
Safety

SOLAS Chapter XI-2 – Special

measures to enhance maritime After reading about some SOLAS chapters, let’s check some vocabulary.
security.
.
Life-Saving Appliances
Fire Protector

Double Hull

Detectors
SART
EPIRB
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1. Say if these statements about SOLAS chapters are TRUE or FALSE. Check with a partner.

1. Ship hulls must be divided into weathertight compartments according to SOLAS chapter II-1.

2. Fire safety provisions for ships include cooling systems, boilers, bilge pumps and life buoys.

3. SOLAS chapter III is about electrical installations on board ships.

4. According to SOLAS chapter IV, passenger and cargo ships must carry GMDSS.

5. SOLAS chapter XI-1 deals with measures to enhance maritime security.

Safety: The
condition of
being protected
from danger,
III. Read risk, or injury.

To be safe and secure at sea is a top priority. Everybody --starting from maritime
authorities, shipping companies to crew members and passengers -- must be aware of the
importance of safety and security on board. Hence, the creation and adoption of essential
codes such as the International Safety Management Code (ISM) and the International Ship
and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS).
The ISM code (July 1993) provides an international standard for the safe
management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. It applies to all vessels:
oil tankers, chemical tankers, car carriers, gas carriers, container vessels, passenger ships,
bulk carriers, and even Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU).
The primary objectives of the ISM code are:
✓ Ensure safety at sea by preventing human injury.
✓ Prevent damage to ship equipment, ship, and the cargo.
✓ Prevent pollution of the marine environment.
The ISM code is divided into two main parts. Part A provides the requirements for the
implementation of the code. Some elements of part A are: safety and environmental protection
policy, designated persons, Master’s responsibility, shipboard operations, emergency
preparedness and maintenance of the ship and equipment, etc. Part B provides guidance for
ISM certification and verification.

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IV. Reading Analysis
1. Complete with information taken from the texts above. Check orally with a partner.

a. SOLAS chapter VI is about ____________________________________________

b. Some components of the GMDSS are ____________________________________

c. Special measures to enhance maritime safety are detailed in

__________________________________________________________________

d. Fire safety provisions include __________________________________________

e. ISM stands for _____________________________________________________

f. Prevent human injury is an objective of _________________________________

g. Some elements of part A of the ISM code are

_________________________________________________________________

2. Answer these questions about the text above. Ask and answer orally with a partner.
1. What is a top priority at sea?

2. Who must be aware of the importance of safety on board?

3. What are some important codes related to ship safety and ship security?

4. What does ISM stand for?

5. What does ISPS stand for?

6. What types of vessels does the ISM code apply to?

7. What are the objectives of the ISM code?

8. What does part A of the ISM code cover?

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 V. Read
The ISPS code (July, 2002) sets the basis for a comprehensive mandatory security
regime for international shipping. It gives a set of measures to enhance the security of ships
and port facilities. It applies to passenger ships, cargo ships over 500 gross tonnage engaged
on international voyages, mobile offshore drilling units and port facilities.
Some objectives of the ISPS code are:
➢ Establish co-operation between Nations: Governments, shipping and port
industries, etc. to detect security threats and take preventive measures for ships
and port.

➢ Establish the responsibilities of the Governments, the shipping and port

industries, etc. for ensuring maritime security.

➢ Provide a methodology for security assessments, plans and procedures to react

to security levels.

The ISPS Code is also divided into two sections: Part A, which includes the
requirements for maritime and port security: application, responsibilities of governments, ship
and port security plan, drills on ship and port security, port facility security plan, security
officers, etc. and Part B, which provides guidelines on how to meet these requirements.

VI. Vocabulary Practice.

1. Match the two parts to make complete sentences. Check orally with a partner.

1. The ISPS code sets measures _____ Mobile Offshore Drilling Units.

2. The ISPS code applies to _____ a methodology for security assessment.

3. MODU stands for _____ an objective of the ISPS code.

4. The ISPS code provides _____ 500 gt. cargo ships.

5. Part A of ISPS code includes _____ to enhance ship security.

6. Establish the responsibilities of _____ drills on ship and port security, port
shipping industries is facility security plan, security officers…

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2. Complete the mind map about the ISPS code. Use key words and phrases from the
reading above.

Measures to enhance security

ISPS code
Applies to passenger ships on
international voyages.

VII. Read
Differences between Maritime Safety and Maritime Security.

Maritime Safety focuses Maritime Security

on the protection of people, and focuses on the protection of
the environment, from naturally- vessels and their cargo from
occurring or accidental hazards. external threats such as
smuggling and piracy.

1. Complete the comparative table about maritime safety and maritime security. Help
with the information above. Practice with a partner.

Maritime Safety Maritime Security

Focus on

Threads/ hazards

Code name

Code Objectives

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VIII. Read
Aspects Included in Personal Safety on Board.

1. Read the explanations and complete with the aspects of personal safety on board.

a. Use of PPE b. Avoid panic attacks c. Help yourself first

d. Situational awareness e. Knowhow and training f. Follow safety policies

g. Know your emergency duties h. Know the ship inside-out

1. ____________________ Crew members must understand and put the safety policies into practice.

2. ____________________Crew members must know the surroundings and working environment on

board to analyze risks in a particular job and tackle the problem.

3. _____________________ We must learn the correct operation of equipment and systems through
training.

4. ______________________ We must know how and when to use PPE.

5. _____________________In an emergency, we must help ourselves first and them others. This
would ensure safety of all.

6. _____________________ All the crew members must familiarize with the ship, including location
of firefighting appliances, lifesaving appliances, alarms, escape routes, etc.

7. _____________________ Every crew member should know what to do and how to do it in an

emergency situation.

8. ____________________We must know ways to control emotions and maintain mental peace. Act
quickly and smartly under the pressure of an emergency.

2. Match the words taken from the text above and their meanings. Practice with a partner.

1. Awareness ______ Make efforts to deal with.

2. Knowhow ______ Practical knowledge or skill, expertise

3. Inside-out ______ Thoroughly, fully

4. Sorroundings ______ Consciousness, understanding …
5. Tackle ______ Place someone is and things that are in it.
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IX Read
Personal Protective Equipment
Shipping companies must ensure that their crew follow personal safety procedures and rules for all
the operations carried out onboard ships. To achieve safety, everybody must wear their personal
protective equipment made for different types of jobs on the ship.

1. Match the pictures with the explanation about every PPE.

The following PPE is always present onboard a ship to ensure safety of the working crew:

1. Overalls protect the body of the crew members from hazardous substances like hot oil, water,
welding spark etc.

2. The head needs protection which is provided by a hard plastic helmet.

3. Safety footwear ensures that nothing happens to the crew member’s feet while working or walking
onboard.

4. Safety gloves are used in operations where it is imperative to protect hands. Some of them are
heat resistant to work on hot surface, for normal operation, welding gloves, etc.

5. Protective glasses or goggles are used for eye protection, and welding goggles are used for
welding operation to protect the eyes from high intensity spark.

6. Ear muffs or ear plugs are used on board ship to dampen noise to a bearable decibel value.

7. To avoid inhaling hazardous particles or gases when working on insulation surface, painting or
carbon cleaning, face masks are provided to act as shield.

8. To avoid a fall from working in heightened areas, a safety harness is donned.

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X. Sped up learning Make sentences with the information of the three
boxes. Practice with a partner.

___ protect the body from hazardous substances.

Ear plugs
are used to ___ eye protection when welding, from dust.
Harnesses
are used for ___ protect the hands when working, cutting, using tools…
Face masks are worn for ___ protect the feet while working or walking on board.
Hard hats are worn to ___ avoid falls when working in heightened areas.
Safety boots are needed to ___ protect the head from falling objects, from impact and
Safety gloves are needed for electrical shocks.
Boiler suits ___ protect the ears from noise, water or damage.

XI. Vocabulary practice

1. Match the pictures with the correct names of the devices. Practice with a partner.

E F G H

Distress flares Immersion suit

Embarkation ladder Life jackets
Fire pump Life raft, life boat or survival craft
Life buoys Extinguishers

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1. Complete the sentences with the vocabulary from the exercise above.

1. The __________________ is used to deliver water to the fire hoses.

2. The pilot used the ___________________ to board the lifeboat.

3. The passengers and crew are safely evacuated to the __________________.

4. The __________________ is bright red, and it can be seen for miles.

5. The ___________________ has a built-in life jacket that will help to keep the crew
afloat.

Look at the picture.

1. What can you say about
the picture?

2. What is the muster list?

3. Where is it posted?

4. What is its purpose?

XII. Listening Comprehension

1. Scan the QR. Listen and complete with the words you hear.
1. The Muster List is a list of the ________________ each member of a ship crew
is _____________ to ________________ in case of _________________.

2. Some of the important ______________ where the muster list is ___________ are-
________________, engine room, __________________ alleyways etc. – areas where
ship’s crew ___________________ the ___________________ of their time.

3. The Muster List ________________ the job ________________ to every crew member
in case of an emergency.
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XIII. Unit VIII Test Practice
1. Answer these questions. Practice questions and answers about unit VIII orally.
1. What is Marine safety?

2. What are some safety standards, conventions adopted by the IMO?

3. What is the SOLAS Convention?

4. What is SOLAS chapter II-1 about?

5. What is SOLAS chapter II-2 about?

6. What is SOLAS chapter III about?

7. What is SOLAS chapter IV about?

8. What is SOLAS chapter V about?

9. What are other SOLAS chapters?

10. What are some live-saving appliances? Mention some of them.

11. What are the two codes about safety and security on board?

12. What are the objectives of the ISM code? What does ISM stand for?

13. What are some objectives of the ISPS code? What does ISPS stand for?

14. What is the difference between the ISM and the ISPS codes? What do they focus on?

15. What are some aspects included in personal safety on board?

16. Explain: Situational awareness, Help yourself first, Know the ship inside-out…

17. What is some personal protective equipment? What are they used for?

18. What is the Muster List?

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