Periodic vents maintenance procedures

It is of utmost importance that all vents, vent trunking, flame screen/wire mesh, vent grills on the vessel are maintained in good condition and attended as per PMS.

1. All vent screens, mesh, ducts and grills are free of dust/grease/oil etc. and maintained in good condition.

2. The vents' are being able to open and close easily.

3. Open and shut markings are properly done.

4. The vents are closing properly and have effective sealing, vent lips are in good condition.

5. Rubber packing is maintained in good condition.

The easily avoidable observation findings related to vents keep rising again and again when the crew doesn't pay required attention to them. Example from some vessel:

a) The ventilation grill on the purifier room vent was found to be covered in thick dust such that most of the holes were blocked. This was cleaned off before the end of the inspection.

b) The galley exhaust vent on the aft end of the accommodation was found to have the gauze coated in grease and in addition the internal surfaces of the vent trunking when viewed from the galley were seen coated in a heavy layer of grease.

These observations clearly show that Weekly rounds were not taken or these were completely ineffective. The responsible officers also failed to check these critical items and maintain them in good condition.