who man and operate the ships further compounds the
Normally, ECCET members arrive on station
problem of developing and maintaining a high level of
shortly before the drills begin. Team members make
operator and operating efficiency.
sure that communications are established throughout the
plant. With the officer of the deck's (OOD's)
The Navy is aware of these problems. Studies have
permission, the drill initiator imposes a casualty
been done to evaluate the methods and procedures
according to the drill plan. With regard to safety of
presently used in operating complex engineering plants.
personnel and equipment, drills are conducted as
The results of these studies have shown that in many
realistically as possible. Simulations are kept to an
instances sound operating techniques were not
absolute minimum. Any time a hazardous situation
followed. Some of the problems found in engineering
develops, ECCET members assist the watch section in
plants are described in the following paragraphs:
restoring the plant to proper operation. ECCET
members also complete a drill critique form during the
The information needed by the watch stander
course of the drill.
was scattered throughout publications that were
generally not readily available.
As soon as possible, following the drill, a critique is
conducted. Personnel of the applicable watch section
The bulk of the publications were not systems
attend. ECCET members and the engineering officer
oriented. Reporting engineering personnel had to learn
also attend. The ECCET leader gives the result of the
specific operating procedures from old hands presently
drill. All other ECCET members then read their drill
assigned. Such practices could ultimately lead to
critique forms. Drills are evaluated as satisfactory or
misinformation or degradation of the transferred
unsatisfactory by the ECCET leader. The evaluation is
information. These practices were costly and resulted
based on a review of the critique sheets before the
in nonstandard operating procedures, not only between
critique. The following deficiencies form a basis for a
adjoining spaces but also between watch sections within
finding of unsatisfactory:
the same space.
1. Loss of plant control by the EOOW or space
Posted operating instructions did not apply to the
supervisor when either is unaware of overall plant
installed equipment. They were conflicting or incorrect.
status. It is also unsatisfactory if they are unable to
No procedures were provided for aligning the various
restore the plant to a normal operating condition
systems with other systems.
utilizing EOSS/EOCC or other issued casualty control
The light-off and securing schedules were
procedures.
prepared by each ship and were not standardized
2. Safety violations that may cause a hazard to
between ships. The schedules were written for general,
personnel or result in serious machinery derangement.
rather than specific, equipment or system values. They
did not include alternatives between all the existing
3. Significant procedural deficiencies that indicate
modes of operation.
a lack of knowledge of the proper procedures to be
followed in correcting a casualty.
Following these studies, NAVSEA developed the
EOSS, which is designed to help eliminate operational
ENGINEERING OPERATIONAL
problems. The EOSS consists of a set of systematic and
SEQUENCING SYSTEM (EOSS)
detailed written procedures. The EOSS is made up of
charts, instructions, and diagrams that are developed
specifically for the operational and casualty control
The Navy has developed a system known as the
function of a specific ship's engineering plant. EOSS
Engineering Operational Sequencing System (EOSS).
involves the participation of all personnel from the
Essentially, the EOSS is to the operation of equipment
department head to the watch stander.
as PMS is to maintenance.
EOSS is designed to improve the operational
In ships of today's modern Navy, main propulsion
readiness of the ship's engineering plant. It does this by
plants are becoming more technically complex as each
increasing its operational efficiency and providing
new class of ship is built and joins the fleet. Increased
better engineering plant control. It also reduces
complexity requires increased engineering skills for
operational casualties and extends the equipment life by
proper operation. Ships that lack the required
(1) defining the levels of control (2) operating within
experienced personnel have material casualties. These
the engineering plant, and (3) providing each supervisor
casualties have jeopardized the ship's operational
and operator with the information needed. This is done
readiness. Rapid turnover of engineering personnel
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