Tidy ship, safe voyage: Keep the engine room tidy and well maintained onboard

Overall, keeping a ship clean and well-maintained is essential for ensuring a safer, healthier, and more efficient working environment onboard. Regular inspections and proper care of critical areas help prevent accidents and extend the life of your vessel. In addition, clean housekeeping items are associated with the health and wellbeing of personnel onboard.

The following quick-check guide, based on information from The American P&I Club’s Pocket Guide for Good Housekeeping Onboard, highlights key areas that require regular attention in engine rooms and machinery spaces.

1. Oil-soaked rags

What to check: Oil-soaked rags stored in piles, garbage compactors, bins or ordinary garbage cans.

Tasks:

• Dispose of bilge residues, absorbent pads and oily rags in a metal, fire-resistant covered receptacle
• Empty and remove oily waste from the worksite every day
• Never leave piles of oily rags unattended, as they may be susceptible to spontaneous heating

Oil-soaked rags and absorbent materials can create serious fire hazards if not handled properly. Keeping oily waste under control is a simple but critical step in preventing fire risks in machinery spaces.

2. Bilges

What to check: Excessive oil and water in bilges.

Tasks:

• Pump or drain oil and water mixtures into the designated holding tank
• Clean bilges and keep them oil-free
• Identify and address the source of any leakage

Bilges should never be allowed to become storage areas for oil, water, debris or residues. Clean bilges support safer working conditions, reduce pollution risks and make it easier to detect leaks before they become serious problems.

3. Sounding pipes

What to check: Sounding pipes left unattended, with levers open, caps removed, tapes left inside, or automatic covers forced open.

Tasks:

• Secure sounding pipes immediately after use, unless instructed otherwise
• Ensure caps and covers are properly closed
• Notify a supervisor if a sounding pipe is found unattended or improperly secured

Sounding pipes are important for safe tank monitoring, but poor handling can create safety and pollution risks. Proper use and immediate securing after operation should always be part of routine practice.

4. Engine casing and machinery

What to check: Oil splatters, drips, soot, or visible leaks from machinery.

Tasks:

• Clean and degrease engine casings when buildup appears
• Tighten leaking flanges
• Replace gaskets when necessary
• Report persistent leaks for further inspection

Oil splashes, soot and leaks should never be treated as normal. Regular cleaning allows crew members to spot defects early and helps prevent machinery failures, fire hazards and unsafe working conditions.

5. Lagging on exhaust piping

What to check: Ripped or torn lagging, exposed pipes, or visible leaks.

Tasks:

• Identify areas where lagging is damaged or missing
• Replace or renew lagging as necessary
• Report exposed hot surfaces immediately

Damaged lagging can expose hot surfaces and increase the risk of burns or fire, especially if oil comes into contact with heated areas. Maintaining insulation is an essential part of machinery space safety.

6. Lighting

What to check: Poorly lit areas or light fixtures that are not functioning.

Tasks:

• Replace non-operational bulbs promptly
• Report defective light fixtures
• Install additional lighting where necessary

Good visibility is essential in the engine room. Poor lighting can increase the risk of slips, falls, contact with machinery, and missed warning signs. All working areas should be adequately illuminated, especially around machinery, ladders, bilges and access routes.

7. Personal cleanliness and attire

What to check: Ship staff or crew members wearing dirty, messy or improper work attire.

Tasks:

• Encourage seafarers to take pride in their appearance onboard
• Regularly clean and degrease coveralls and work clothes
• Ensure appropriate protective footwear is worn
• Replace damaged or heavily contaminated workwear when necessary

Personal cleanliness and proper attire are part of a safe working culture. Clean coveralls, suitable footwear and appropriate protective clothing help reduce the risk of slips, contamination, burns and injury. They also support hygiene and professionalism onboard.

Final reminder

A clean engine room is a safer engine room. By controlling oily waste, keeping bilges clean, securing equipment, maintaining lighting and wearing proper attire, crews can reduce risks and support smoother daily operations.

Healthy habit: Keep machinery spaces clean, report leaks early, and wear proper work attire. Clean spaces, safe crew, reliable operations.