Drills at HKC Compliant recycling facilities – Part 1 

Any person related to shipping is aware of the various mock drills. Whenever any movie is filmed on ships, it’s apparent to see bells ringing, hooter sounding, and drills held on the ships. Have we ever wondered what types of drills are conducted on the Hong Kong Convention compliant yards while recycling the vessels? The entire ship recycling process is related to gas cutting, heavy plates lifting and their movements, confined space entries, working at a height, etc.

Although the workers employed in the yards receive regular training, it is vital for them to participate in mock drills and understand the procedures followed during actual emergencies. The motto behind carrying out any drill at recycling facilities is to make the workers acquainted with various procedures to be followed during emergencies. Participation in mock drills is the way to make the workers familiar with the methods and equipment which can be used in a crisis. It helps workers to understand the SOPs to be followed. 

Fire and explosion on plot and Fire and Explosion on Ship:

While conducting a fire drill on the ship, a small fire is simulated and workers are asked to extinguish the fire as the SOP. Actions taken during the drills by each worker are observed, and their timing is recorded. In the drill, different types of fire extinguishers are function tested. Post drill review meetings are conducted under the guidance of the safety officer for effective learning.

Confined Space Rescue:

Ships are built of steel and have multiple compartments. Double bottom tanks, fuels oil tanks and smaller auxiliary tanks are all confined spaces. It’s foremost for yard workers to understand the significance of confined space rescue. Keeping this in mind, yards conduct the drills to rescue a person from confined spaces. It helps workers to respond promptly during an actual emergency. 

Evacuation from ship and plot: 

Once the ship recycling commences, its structure changes every day due to the slicing of the hull and the access to the vessel is altered as per the structure. Workers need to understand the evacuation from the ship and plot in case of emergency. Therefore, yards regularly conduct the evacuation from ship and plot drills. 

The drills are also conducted during the audit by the SOC issuing classification society. 

Each type of drill has its own significance. HKC compliant recycling facilities strictly comply with the annual schedule of various mock drills.