With only a Second and Third Engineer on board and the Third Engineer refusing to come to the engine room, what do you do as Chief Engineer?

flowchart TD
  A["3/E refuses to come to the engine room"] --> B["Make the plant safe first: I attend with the 2/E"]
  B --> C{"Why?"}
  C -->|Safety concern| D["Assertiveness, not misconduct: address the hazard"]
  C -->|Fatigue, rest hours| E["Manning and fatigue problem, not discipline"]
  C -->|Illness, grievance| F["Care; MLC complaint channel"]
  C -->|Wilful refusal| G["Re-issue the lawful order with the consequence"]
  G --> H["Still refused: record, report to the master, official log book, right to reply, MS Act 2025 s.99 and s.107"]

• Safety first: I attend the engine room with the 2/E and make the plant safe (STCW A-VIII/2); the dispute waits.
• Understand the refusal: a safety concern is assertiveness, not misconduct; out of rest hours (A-VIII/1) is fatigue and manning; illness or grievance needs care and the MLC complaint channel.
• Just culture: honest error and legitimate concern without sanction; only wilful refusal, recklessness or gross negligence is a discipline matter.
• Wilful refusal of a lawful, safe order: re-issue clearly with the consequence; if still refused, record, report to the master, official log book entry with the right to reply.
• Legal basis: MS Act 2025 s.99 (wilful disobedience, neglect or refusal of duty), s.107 (fines deducted from wages); serious or persistent cases reported to DGMA; proportionate.
• Fix the cause: hazard made safe; manning and rest hours raised with the master and company; grievance through the on-board procedure; debrief and rebuild the team.