Scenarios

Question 1

Lots of water coming from HFO tank, what can it be?

Answer 1

• Water contamination from bad bunker
• Water contamination from broken steam pipe for heating

Question 2

High exhaust temp on one cylinder causes?

Answer 2

• Injector timing,
• Fuel rack,
• Injector pump timing,
• Fuel injector nozzle jammed. Replace injector with OEM kept with technical file.
• Unlikely we would have individual cylinder temperatures on yachts.

Question 3

Just joined a vessel, cargo onboard, sailing this afternoon. Both M/Es are due full overhaul and will be overdue by the time we reach the destination. Would you sail?

Answer 3

Thought process, trend analysis, running condition of the engines, availability or spares and contractors, time frame, informing class. Decision would be that provided engines are in good running condition, yes, I would inform class, sail and make appropriate plans
to complete the work at the destination.

Question 4

Clutch oil sample comes back with debris?

Answer 4

• Wear particles from gears
• Wear from bearings
• Contamination of dirt or water

Gearbox needs to be shut down and investigated to find the cause of the problem and rectified before next use

Question 5

Your second engineer can’t get a generator to start, what do you do?

Answer 5

Walk through troubleshooting basics, ensure pre start checklist has been followed,
- Check fuel supply,
- Fuel pressure,
- Fuel pumps,
- Supply voltage for control,
- No e-stops,
- No active shutdown alarms.

Question 6

Engine room log, engine and exhaust temps rising on closed loop cooling circuit, low R/W cooling pressure.

Answer 6

Blocked sea strainer

Question 7

You have 3 bilge pumps onboard, one is inoperable. Owner says to sail, what would you do?

Answer 7

All equipment must be operational before going to sea. Owner persistent? Carry out risk assessment, contact DPA.

Question 8

3 oil sample results shown, Hydraulic oil - Water content, Engine oil - fuel dilution, Clutch oil shows debris present, what would you do?

Answer 8

Re sample as no metal traces present.

Question 9

Black ship and E-gen doesnt come online?

Answer 9

Bring standby generator on the board, E-gen not left in Auto, brief all engineers to do pre-dep checks more thoroughly and e-gen to be in auto. Ensure checklists are correct. Then solve issue of generator failing.

Question 10

LO main engine, you open the crankcase cover, what if there is a problem with the LO and what could you see?

Answer 10

Water in oil, take onboard sample for viscosity. Smell,
hydrogen sulphide, rotten eggs.

Question 11

3 Gens onboard, one completely shagged, what do you do?

Answer 11

Complete a risk assessment to establish the severity of risk and whether it’s safe to sail. Inform the DPA of results.

Question 12

Captain complains that the AC in his cabin isn’t working?

Answer 12

• Confirm in his cabin,
• Check set points and controller are functioning,
• Change set point and confirm 3 way valve operation,
• Confirm filter is clean,
• Check evaporator is clean,
• Check ducting is not compressed and has good air flow,
• Check for supply of cooling water (flow sensor in controller)
• Check position of air temp probe (sometimes they fall down.)
• Work back to engine room and make sure its only an issue with his cabin,
• Check next door cabins etc.

Question 13

You notice a small fuel leak on main engine when coming into port, what do you do?

Answer 13

If controllable then monitor as well as informing the bridge.

If greater then stop then engine and repair, if not enough time stop and get tug assistance.

Question 14

Why, when on a voyage would different temperatures effect gauge readings?

Answer 14

• Thermal expansion and contraction, fluids normally expand under heat
• Viscosity changes
• Warm fuel decreases fuel density
• Pressure changes, an increase in temperature at constant volume increases pressure
• Electrical sensor errors

Question 15

Fire alarm goes off in your cabin, describe the procedure to enter the ER? How to enter if you suspect that there is no fire? What to do if there is a fire?

Answer 15

• Muster station
• Attend secondary command point (Bridge) and start fire pumps, close ventilation, quick closing valves
• Prepare for Fire fighting, run hoses, don BA
• Ask captain for permission to activate HIfog
• Monitor temperatures
• Complete BA checks, standby
• Test coms
• Ask captain to enter
• Door entry
• Head towards fire detector that was activated and report

Question 16

If you find damage to the hull, who decides if and what repair work has to be carried out?

Answer 16

Classification will say if it needs to be repaired and how they want it repaired as well as proof of repair. It will be completed in dry dock under supervision