The test consists of 80 random questions.
Total questions on this topic: 147
The exhaust gas temperatures of all cylinders of a diesel engine are seen to be high. Select, from the options given, the most likely cause of this:
Insufficient cooling of the main bearings.
High wear rate in one of the fuel injection pumps.
One of the fuel cams is worn.
During maintenance of a piston rod stuffing box on a large, slow speed diesel engine it is usual to measure the butt gaps between the sealing ring and scrapper ring segments. What would be the effect of these gaps being too small?
If the gaps are too small the rings could scope the piston rod.
If the gaps are too small they could close due to the radial wear of the rings before the next scheduled overhaul preventing the rings from contacting the piston rod and sealing it.
If the gaps are too small then the flow of scavenge air through the gland would be reduced and the gland would overheat.
If the gaps were too small then no oil could pass up the piston rod to lubricate the sealing rings.
When you are calibrating an instrument what is the most common second step in the procedure?
Adjustment of Zero-point.
What is the objective of the merchant navy?
To earn money for the shipowner.
To transport and deliver goods as quickly as possible.
To provide employment for persons who wish to become seafarers.
To safely transport goods by sea.
What function is this operational amplifier circuit performing?
While alongside at a repair berth a new section of seawater pipe has been fabricated in a shoreside workshop from drawings supplied by the vessel. During fitting of the pipe by ship’s engineers it is noted that the pipe is too short leaving a gap of about 8 mm between the flange faces. What action should be taken to remedy this problem?
The pipe should be returned to the shoreside workshop for modification or to be remade to the correct dimensions.
The ships engineer’s should use extra long bolts and pull the flanges together.
The ship’s engineers should fit extra thick joints between the flanges to fill the gap.
The ship’s engineers should manufacture a spacer piece to fit the gap.
Why is it important to check the timing of diesel engine cylinder oil lubricators?
To ensure the piston is not covering the lubrication points and blocking the flow of cylinder lubricating oil into the cylinder.
To ensure the correct amount of cylinder lubricating oil is fed into the cylinders.
To ensure cylinder lubricating oil enters the cylinders when the piston is in the required position.
To avoid excess pressure in the cylinder lubrication system.
In a diesel engine lubrication system the circulating pump normally takes suction from the oil sump tank. Where would the oil normally pass to directly after the pump?
A mechanical seal, consisting of carbon and ceramic seal rings, is to be fitted to a centrifugal pump shaft. What is the most likely result of not being extremely careful when fitting this type of seal?
The seal rings are hard and may score the pump shaft.
The spring and bellows for the seal can be easily damaged.
The seal rings are brittle and can be easily chipped or damaged.
The rubber O rings for the seal can be easily damaged.
What is the most important task after carrying out any major overhaul on a diesel engine?
Start the auxiliary blower to ventilate the engine so that it has sufficient fresh air for starting.
Start the engine to check the direction of rotation.
A thorough check inside the engine to make sure all tools and cleaning rags have been removed.
Repair any damaged paint work on the engine.
What is generally considered as the minimum safe time period before opening a crankcase door after the oil mist detector alarm has activated and the engine has been stopped?
After at least 20 minutes.
After at least 5 minutes.
After at least 10 minutes.
What cooling medium is normally used to cool the condenser of a fresh water generator?
What is the approximate content of oxygen in air?
What is likely to be the cause of black smoke from a diesel engine exhaust seen at the funnel?
Engine is burning some lubricating oil.
Incomplete combustion of the fuel.
What could cause diesel engine lubricating oil to appear cloudy with a slightly “milky” colour?
Fuel contamination of the system.
High temperature of the oil.
Water contamination of the system.
What is the purpose of the ODME (Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment) printer?
To prove that oil has been pumped overboard according to regulations.
To prove fault conditions in the ODME.
To prove that the ODME system has been used.
What do you call the wide rung on a pilot ladder that prevents the ladder from twisting?
The wide rung on a pilot ladder that prevents it from twisting is called a “Spreader”.
The wide rung on a pilot ladder that prevents it from twisting is called a “Wide step”.
The wide rung on a pilot ladder that prevents it from twisting is called a “Long rung”.
The wide rung on a pilot ladder that prevents it from twisting is called a “Ani-twist rung”.
Is it necessary to cool the samples taken from a diesel engine cooling water system before carrying out tests to determine the concentration of treatment chemicals?
No, the test should be carried out at system temperature.
Yes, the samples should be cooled to approximately 25 °C.
Yes, the samples should be cooled to approximately 50 °C.
No, the samples should be heated to approximately 95 °C.
Thermistors are temperature sensitive devices. A positive temperature coefficient thermistor will typically have:
Relatively linear characteristic.
Relatively non linear characteristic.
For ideal synchronising as the incomer circuit breaker contacts make, the phase angle difference between the incomer e. m. f. and the busbar voltage should be:
Is it always possible to use the word “ship” instead of the word “boat”?
A large vessel is always called a “ship” and never a “boat”.
Normally a small vessel is called a “boat” rather than a “ship”, otherwise it is not important.
Either can be used anytime.
A boat can only be used for vessels under 50 metres in length.
Which one of the listed requirements regarding the stowage of a survival craft corresponds to present SOLAS regulations? Each survival craft shall be stowed:
In a secure and sheltered position and protected from damage by fire or explosion.
Wherever space is available.
In a state of readiness so that two crew-members can prepare for embarkation and launching in less than 15 minutes.
On the starboard side of the ship.
Which part of the crankshaft of a modern large two stroke diesel engine is most likely to be the origin point for crack initiation during service and therefore needs the greatest attention during maintenance inspection?
The dowel pins and dowel holes.
What would be the correct form of response to the question: “What kind of assistance do you require?”
The correct form of response would be: “There is a fire onboard my vessel”.
The correct form of response would be: “My vessel has a fire in the accommodation and we require fire-fighting assistance”.
The correct form of response would be: “I need help on board with a fire and the smoke is very toxic”.
The correct form of response would be: “I need help as soon as possible”.
If a refrigeration system contains air, how would you remove it from the system?
Pump the system down to the evaporator and keep the fan running until the evaporator is at ambient temperature and vent off the air from the top of the evaporator.
Stop the compressor and vent the air from the crankcase.
Pump the system down to the condenser, continue cooling water flow until the condenser is at the same temperature as the cooling water and vent off the air from the top of the condenser.
Stop the compressor and undo a pipe coupling at the highest point in the system to vent off the air.
What is the correct name of the part highlighted in the illustration?
What acton is required if the crankcase relief valve on an air compressor is operating and emitting an air and oil mixture?
Increase the lift pressure of the relief valve.
Overhaul the compressor unit.
Increase the flow of cooling water to the compressor and intercooler.
Place a drip can beneath the valve to collect any escaping oil.
The mandatory color of a hand flare is:
During an unmanned period on a UMS vessel the “low water level” alarm for the jacket cooling water system expansion tank activities. What action would you take as duty engineer?
Answer the alarm then block the alarm function for later action and resume unmanned operation.
Answer the alarm then block the alarm and change to manned engineroom condition.
Answer the alarm and adjust the alarm set point for the water level in the expansion tank before resuming unmanned operation.
Answer the alarm, top up the tank and check the system for leakage before resuming unmanned operation.
An electrical power emergency source in a ship is required because:
It satisfies the SOLAS requirements for ship safety.
The main diesel generator(s) can be taken out of service for overhaul or repair.
It satisfies the need to be environmentally “friendly”.
The ships total load can be shared between main and emergency generators.
What effect does an increased oil feed flow rate have on the performance of a centrifuge operating as a purifier?
Separating efficiency is unchanged.
Separating efficiency is increased, more water is removed.
Separating efficiency is increased, more solids are removed.
Separating efficiency is reduced.
Give the meaning of the following symbol:
Indicates manual starting direction of the engine.
As part of the regular maintenance for a paramagnetic oxygen analyser used for measuring the oxygen content of exhaust gas it is important to keep the sample line filter as clean as possible. Why is this necessary with this type of instrument?
The filter may rupture due to the high pressures generated by the sample pump.
Pressure variations in the sample chamber can cause errors so restrictions must be kept to a minimum.
The pressure drop across the filter may damage the sampling pump.
A high flow rate is required in order to deflect the sensing element.
What is the main advantage of having a central cooling system fitted on board ship?
It should require less maintenance than a conventional system using only sea water.
It is a simple system with minimum control requirements.
It does not require any seawater.
Only one heat exchanger is needed for all cooling duties.
The two instruments necessary for generator synchonising are:
kW meter and frequency meter.
Voltmeter and synchroscope.
Synchroscope and kVar-meter.
Amp-meter and volt-meter.
A ship has a medium speed engine and a controllable pitch propeller propulsion system. What would the propeller pitch normally have to be at to allow starting of the engine?
A ship moving through heavy seas is affected by the water presure at the bows causing an effect known as “Panting”. What structure in the forward region of the ship combats the effects of Panting?
Double bottom tanks and floors.
Panting beams and stringers.
Collision bulkhead and deck.
The lubricating oil in the bearing housing at the turbine end of a turbocharger gets very dirty after only a few hours in service. What is the most likely reason for this happening?
The wrong type of lubricating oil has been used.
Damaged rotor shaft sealing bushes allowing exhaust gas to leak into the bearing housing.
The turbine end bearing is badly worn.
The lubricating oil filling connection screw cap is missing.
Personnel in a high voltage switchroom and smell rotten eggs. What may this indicate?
Arcing at badly coupled bus bars.
Problems with a vacuum circuit breaker.
Problems with a gas (SF6) circuit breaker.
An important quantity which is useful in circuit analysis is known as conductance G (Siemens). Which of the formulas A to D expresses the conductance for this circuit?
The circuit consists of two inductors, L(1) = 6 H and L(2) = 12 H, connected in parallel. Calculate the equivalent L(S) of the two inductors.
What is the period of validity of the Safety Management Certificate?
What would the First Engineer require?
The First Engineer would require the Chief Officer to keep him advised of bilge soundings.
The First Engineer would require the Fitter to check the carbon dioxide fire-fighting equipment.
The First Engineer would require cleaning of the feed water tank.
The First Engineer would require an inspection of the heating coils.
What is meant by the term “feel over sequence” as applied to diesel engine operation following replacement of a crankshaft bearing?
Stopping the engine to check the bearing temperature after a short period of operation and repeating this procedure at increasing running intervals.
Running the engine at low load and gradually increasing the load over a period of 12 hours.
Stop the engine after 2 hours running to check the bearing temperature by running the hand over it.
Which of the following voltage levels would be regarded as high voltage likely to be found on a ship?
What is the main effect on lubricating oil of operating for long periods at excessively high temperature?
It will cause the oil to oxiside, increasing the viscosity.
It will cause the oil to oxidise, reducing the viscosity.
It will cause the oil to evaporate, increasing consumption.
It will change the flashpoint of the oil.
During a bomb search, which of the following is an important principle to follow?
Throw any suspicious items overboard.
Try to reach behind bulkheads to find a bomb.
Do not touch any suspicious packages.
Know exactly what a bomb looks like.
What is the expansion ratio of the foam produced by the fixed low-expansion foam fire-extinguishing system of an engine room?
Greater than 20 to 1 but less than 50 to 1.
Which of the following is not a principle of heat transfer utilised in an oil fired steam boiler?
With regard to radar, what would be a correct form of response to the question: “What range scale are you using?”
The correct form of response would be: “I am using the 12 mile range scale”.
The correct form of response would be: “I am using the largest range scale”.
The correct form of response would be: “I am using the 10 cm radar”.
The correct form of response would be: “I am using the 3 cm radar”.
What is the correct method to use for fitting a rolling contact bearing, such as a ball bearing, onto a parallel shaft?
Use a hammer and a pipe with the same diameter as the inner bearing ring and knock the bearing onto the shaft.
Use emery cloth on the bearing surface on the shaft.
Use emery cloth on the inner ring (contact surface) of the bearing.
Gently heat the bearing in an oil bath and use a bearing puller to draw it onto the shaft.
What type of component does this graphical symbol illustrate?
Pressure-reducing regulator.
An auxiliary engine is fitted with a duplex type lubricating oil filter. The in-use element requires changing. What procedure should be used to fit the new element?
With the engine running, position the changeover cock so that both filters are in use to reduce the pressure before.
With the engine running, shut off the filter inlet and quickly fit the new element.
The engine must be stopped to fit a clean filter element.
With the engine running, change over to the other filter after priming it and replace the dirty element after checking there is no pressure on dirty filter housing.
What do you understand by: “Let go the port anchor?”
Let go the port anchor means: slacken the port anchor cable.
Let go the port anchor means: put the port windlass brake in gear.
Let go the port anchor means: put the port windlass brake in gear and lower the anchor.
Let go the port anchor means: open the port windlass brake.
Why may wearing sweat rags slung round your neck when working in the machinery spaces be hazardous?
The rags may cause sweat rash.
The rags may cause you to get too hot and faint.
The rags may be soaked with oil and catch fire.
The rags may be caught by running machinery or power tools.
Which of the following alternatives summarise the benefits of using high voltage on ships?
Smaller conductors, machines and switchgear.
Smaller conductors, insulators and transformers.
Smaller cables and better power factors.
More efficient transformers and electrical machines.
Before leaving the machinery spaces of a UMS vessel after routine watchkeeping rounds in the evening, the duty engineer inspects the doors to Fuel Oil Treatment rooms which are covered by a fixed fire fighting installation. For what purpose does he do this?
To tie them open with a rope to prevent the heat from building up inside, and making it uncomfortable to work.
Remove the auto closing device so they remain in whatever position.
Wedge them open with an arrangement which allows them to be closed quickly in the event of a fire.
To make sure that they are properly closed with the self closing device so that any fire is contained and the extinguishing medium can be released without delay.
An earth fault exists on the blue line of a 100 A bilge pump circuit. A second earth fault occurs on the yellow line of a 10 A ventilation fan circuit. The likely outcome is that:
Both motors trip out on overload.
A short circuit occurs between earth faults and the ventilation fan fuse blows.
A short circuit occurs between earth fault and the bilge pump fuse blows.
An open circuit occurs between earth fault and both motors trip out.
What precautions should be taken, in addition to shutting the main air start valve if work is to be carried out inside the main diesel engine crankcase?
Keep a man posted in the control room to stop anyone who tries to start the engine.
Engage the turning gear and put a notice at each engine control position.
Engage the turning gear, stop the starting air compressors and drain the air receivers.
Engage the turning gear and close every valve on the starting air receivers.
Many large slow speed diesel engines operating on heavy fuel oil have a fuel injection system which features Variable Injection Timing. How does this affect engine operation?
VIT increases engine efficiency by automatically maintaining the maximum cylinder pressure over the entire load range.
VIT allows the ship’s engineers to alter the injection timing for each load setting with a simple single adjustment of the fuel rack.
VIT increases engine efficiency by automatically maintaining the maximum cylinder pressure over part of the load range.
It is common practice to connect a resistor over an alarm contact (see diagram) in many applications. Why is this connection used?
To monitor the cable/wires for break.
To stabilise power consumption.
To avoid sparks on the contacts when opening and closing.
Enable measuring the total resistance of the circuit.
Which component does this graphical symbol illustrate?
Pressure indicator, installed on panel/console.
Pressure indicator, installed locally.
Pressure relief valve, self-contained.
For a Nitrite – Borate based cooling water treatment system, what would be considered to be the normal nitrite concentration limits for a correctly dosed system?
3 000 – 4 500 ppm Nitrite.
1 500 – 3 000 ppm Nitrite.
4 500 – 6 000 ppm Nitrite.
What is the correct name of the tool shown in the illustration?
What is the correct name of the tool shown in the illustration?
Some large slow speed diesel engines have jack bolt arrangements for retaining the main bearing top keep in place rather than the more conventional stud bolts. How does this arrangement affect the maintenance and checking procedures for the tie rods on the engine?
The tie rods should be fully tensioned before the jacking bolts are loaded to avoid overload of the bearing caps and frame structure.
The tie rods and jacking bolts must be tightened simultaneously to avoid excess load on either component.
The jacking bolts should be fully loaded before the tie rods are tensioned to avoid excess loads on the tie rods.
It has no effect since the tie rods and jacking bolts have completely separate functions.
When a fire breaks out in the accommodation, cargo holds or on deck, who is in charge of the fire fighting operations?
The first officer arriving at the scene.
The first person arriving at the scene.
The person who is designated in the muster list.
When a ships derrick or crane lifts a weight off the deck of a ship, from which position can the centre of gravity of the weight be considered to act?
From the centre of the weight lifted.
From the position on the deck from which the weight was lifted.
From a position on the deck at the base of the derrick or crane.
From the head of the derrick or crane.
During maintenance of a pneumatically operated, diaphragm actuated control valve the diaphragm is found to be split. Select, from the options given, a suitable material to use to make a temporary replacement if there is no spare diaphragm available.
Natural rubber sheet of approximately the same thickness and elasticity as the original diaphragm material.
Cotton reinforced rubber insertion sheet of smaller thickness but similar strength as the original diaphragm material.
Natural rubber sheet of greater thickness and lower elasticity as the original diaphragm material.
Cotton reinforced rubber insertion sheet of approximately the same thickness but less elasticity than the original diaphragm material.
Which muscle is the most persevering one in the body?
A vapour compression refrigiration system is usually fitted with a number of devices to give protection and control of the system. Which of the methods given in the options should be used to test the high pressure cut out during routine maintenance and checking of the system?
Manually close each of the evaporator coils by switching off the electrical supply to the liquid line solenoid shut off valves and monitor the condenser pressure.
Close the condenser outlet valve and closely monitor the condenser pressure.
Gradually shut in the condenser cooling water valve or the condenser refrigerant inlet valve while closely monitoring the compressor discharge pressure.
Charge the system with refrigerant until the high pressure cut out operates.
An earth fault exists on the blue line of a 100 A bilge pump circuit. A second earth fault occurs on the yellow line of a 10 A ventilation fan circuit. Both systems are supplied from the ship’s 440 V supply. The likely outcome is that:
A short circuit occurs between earth faults and the ventilation fan fuse blows.
An open circuit occurs between earth fault and both motors trip out.
A short circuit occurs between earth fault and the bilge pump fuse blows.
Both motors trip out on overload.
Which diagram is the symbol for a THYRISTOR?
What is the best method to use to remove heavy scale and fouling from the plates of a heat exchanger?
Use high-pressure cleaner with abrasive additives.
Soak the plates in recommended cleaning solution and then use a soft brush or pressure cleaner.
Use wire-brush metal scrapers and chipping guns.
What is the main reason for keeping engine lubricating oil viscosity within recommended limits?
To reduce system pressure losses.
To ensure the strength of the oil film is sufficient to keep lubricated surfaces apart.
To neutralise any acids that may form.
What type of construction material should be avoided regarding fire protection purposes? (SOLAS II-2/2.2.3).
All combustible materials.
All uncovered wooden materials.
After main power is restored (following a blackout), a timed sequential restart of motor driven auxiliaries is necessary to avoid:
Generator overload due to many motors starting at simultaneously.
Overvoltage due to current surges.
Overloading creating earth faults.
Over-frequency due to overspeed of generator.
This device can detect a package of drugs inside a large delivery of ship’s stores. What is it?
B Class divisions in ships are constructed so that they are capable of preventing the passage of flame to the end of a standard fire test held for:
A large electric motor is being removed from a main seawater pump with the aid of the engine room crane. Which is the best method of starting the lift from the options given?
Use the full hoist facility on the crane to “break” the motor free after slackening all of the retaining bolts.
Use the “inch up” facility on the crane to “break” the motor free after slackening all of the retaining bolts.
Use a suitable chain block suspended from the crane hook to “break” the motor free after slackening all of the retaining bolts.
Use the full hoist facility to lift the motor clear in one action after removing all of the retaining bolts.