⚓ IMO Conventions

Marine Engineering — 6th Year

📘 Exercise 1. Match the Convention with its Definition

Tap a term on the left, then tap its definition on the right.

Convention

Definition

Matched: 0 / 6

🎭 Exercise 2. Role-Play Cards

Work in groups of 3. Prepare a 90-second answer using at least 5 target terms.

CARD A
During a Port State Control inspection, the officer finds that the oily water separator has been bypassed. The Oil Record Book has no entry about it.
Your task as the engineer:
  • Which MARPOL Annex is violated?
  • What are the consequences for you and the ship?
  • What should you have done differently?
Use: oily water separator, Oil Record Book, bypass, deficiency, detention, Annex I, compliance
CARD B
A fire breaks out in the engine room during your watch. The fixed CO₂ system is about to be released.
Your task as the watch engineer:
  • Which SOLAS chapters apply?
  • What are your immediate duties?
  • How do you account for all crew?
Use: fire drill, muster station, fixed fire-fighting system, emergency generator, watchkeeper, abandon ship signal, SOLAS Chapter II-2
CARD C
You have worked 14 hours without proper rest for the third day in a row. You are exhausted and afraid of making a mistake.
Your task:
  • Which convention is breached?
  • What are your rights?
  • Who do you report to, and how?
Use: rest hours, STCW, MLC, watchkeeping, fatigue, designated person ashore, complaint procedure
CARD D
Entering an Emission Control Area (ECA), you must switch from HFO to low-sulphur fuel.
Your task:
  • Which MARPOL Annex regulates this?
  • What records must you keep?
  • What happens if you fail to change over in time?
Use: ECA, sulphur content, changeover procedure, bunker delivery note, Annex VI, non-compliance

✏️ Exercise 3. Vocabulary Quiz

Read the term, then tap the correct definition.

Score: 0 / 8

🔧 Exercise 4. Reading & Collocation Practice

Read the text, do True/False, fill in the gaps, then discuss.

📖 TEXT — read it first:

Last month our vessel had a Port State Control inspection in Rotterdam. The inspector found several problems. First, the oily water separator had been bypassed for two weeks, and there was no entry in the Oil Record Book. This was a serious deficiency under MARPOL Annex I, and the ship was close to detention.

As the engineer, I had to explain why we had failed to comply with the convention. It was clear we were in breach of the rules. All engine room operations fall under MARPOL and SOLAS requirements, and we must rectify every deficiency immediately. The company also asked us to carry out an internal audit and to conduct a fire drill the same week. If we find any problem in the future, we must file a complaint through the proper procedure.

✅ Task A. True or False?

Correct: 0 / 6

📝 Task B. Fill in the gaps with the correct word(s) from the text.

Correct: 0 / 8

🗣️ Task C. Discuss in pairs.

1 Why do you think the crew bypassed the oily water separator? What pressures on board can lead to this kind of decision? Try to use: to comply with, deficiency, to be in breach of, pressure, deadline, to cut corners
2 Who is responsible when a deficiency is found — the engineer, the chief engineer, or the company? Explain your opinion. Try to use: responsibility, to fall under, ISM Code, SMS, to rectify, accountability
3 If you were the engineer in this situation, what would you have done differently? Give at least two concrete actions. Try to use: to file a complaint, to carry out, to conduct, to record, Oil Record Book, proper procedure
4 Why does the company ask for an internal audit and a fire drill after a PSC inspection? What is the purpose of these actions? Try to use: corrective action, prevention, to fall under SOLAS, compliance, to improve safety culture