The statement " there is always someone on duty in the engine room incase of alarms etc", is quite wrong and is against the whole idea of UMS rules, which allow the machinery spaces to be periodically unattended

Not sure how these are set up, but when I sailed, I stood a watch on both diesel and steam ships. Trust me, there is ALWAYS something to do in the engine room. Routine maintenance, cleaning, etc. Even on a new vessel. That said, I have surveyed similar designs with UMS and the engineer would get aft via a tunnel. There was also a room with a bunk above the machinery space. I hope that helps.

Ok thank you Andrew...That must add to the cost of operating these ships then..So the engineers do watch keeping just like the bridge officers..Has UMS gone for these boxers?? It would make sense I suppose When I was at sea the duty engineer had about 3-5 minutes to answer a call before the general alarm sounded..Which would have woken the whole crew. I didn't see how that would be possible with the accomidation amidships..like on these ones..So I figured they either gave a longer "dead man's alarm" or else the duty engineer slept aft..But being manned 24/7 would work also. But that must be dreadful working conditions..For the engineers doing watchkeeping..Nothing much happens..And they would need a motorman as nobody can stay in the ER by themselves ,alone. That's why I say expensive..Thanks for the answer..It has been puzzling me for some time , now.
Regards.

Hi Ozzy,

In answer to your question there is always someone on duty in the engine room incase of alarms etc.

rgds
Andrew

HEy hey..You got a picture inside one of these giant box boats..
One question though..How do the engineers get aft from the accomdiation during UMS to answer the alarms at night time??
OR does the duty engineer live aft???