The test consists of 80 random questions.
Total questions on this topic: 147
An air compressor is being refitted in the engine room. The compressor and motor are coupled using a flexible coupling and are mounted on a common “skid” which fixed to the deck with resilient mountings. Which of the statements, from the options given, relating to the alignment of the motor and compressor is true?
Shims should be fitted between the motor and compressor feet and the skid to ensure correct vertical, horizontal and parallel alignment of the coupling halves before it is bolted up.
As long as the two coupling halves are at the same height the flexible coupling will accommodate any horizontal misalingment of difference in the gap between the coupling faces.
The compressor and motor can just be placed directly on the common skid as they will probably be closely aligned anyway.
Machines using flexible couplings and resilient mountings do not need to be aligned. That is why they have flexible and resilient elements fitted.
Which muscle is the most persevering one in the body?
Which ships does the ISM code apply to?
All passenger ships, all cargo ships of 500 GRT or above.
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.
What type of component does this graphical symbol illustrate?
Pressure-reducing regulator.
Modern slow speed, two stroke diesel engines often have locating pins or pegs to keep the piston rings in a fixed position. Why is this arrangement used?
The piston ring gaps can be kept in line to control the gas pressure on each of the rings.
The piston rings are more difficult to lubricate because of the slow operating speeds and will wear more quickly if they are allowed to rotate.
It avoids the risk of the ends of the piston rings being forced out by the gas pressure and catching on the scavenge ports.
It ensures the rings cannot be mixed up and that they are fitted in the correct order on the piston.
Which diagram is the symbol for a THYRISTOR?
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.
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.
What will be the probable outcome if the amplification is set too high on a controller?
The process will oscillate and get out of control.
The set-point will change.
The process response will be very slow.
Which of the following is not a principle of heat transfer utilised in an oil fired steam boiler?
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.
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.
What do you understand by: Bitter end?
Bitter end means: the end link of an anchor cable that is secured within the chain locker.
Bitter end means: a foul taste at the end of a meal.
Bitter end means: to the very last moment.
Bitter end means: the toggled end of a lifeboat painter.
Modern slow speed, two stroke diesel engines often have locating pins or pegs to keep the piston rings in a fixed position. Why is this arrangement used?
The piston ring gaps can be kept in line to control the gas pressure on each of the rings.
The piston rings are more difficult to lubricate because of the slow operating speeds and will wear more quickly if they are allowed to rotate.
It avoids the risk of the ends of the piston rings being forced out by the gas pressure and catching on the scavenge ports.
It ensures the rings cannot be mixed up and that they are fitted in the correct order on the piston.
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.
A detector that is activated by a rise of temperature is:
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.
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.
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 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.
You are witnessing someone about to faint. What are the symptoms?
The person may be very pale, and pulse is slow at first and weak.
The pulse is very fast and the person is getting cold.
The person starts to talk a lot and seems superactive.
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.
When you are calibrating an instrument what is the most common second step in the procedure?
Adjustment of Zero-point.
When you join a new ship, how are you informed about safety rules, alarm instructions and your own duties in case of an emergency?
By folder distributed to each crewmember.
By muster list exhibited in conspicuous places.
By alarm instructions in all crew cabins.
By oral instructions by the Captain.
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”.
During maintenance work on a main diesel engine the fuel injection valve is found to be jammed in the pocket in the cylinder cover. Which of the procedures given in the options should be followed in order to complete the work?
Wedge a bar between the piston top and the bottom of the injector and use the turning gear to force the injection valve out.
Replace the complete cylinder cover with a spare unit and land the cover with the jammed valve ashore for repair in a specialist workshop.
Remove the cylinder cover and try and drive the injection valve out of the pocket from the underside with a hammer and punch.
With the fuel injection valve retaining nuts removed admit compressed air into the engine cylinder to try and blow the injection valve out of the pocket.
Select the option which best describes the primary duty of a watch-keeping engineer:
The primary duty of a watch-keeping engineer is to maintain constant surveillance of the main engine and auxiliary machinery.
The primary duty of a watch-keeping engineer is to maintain the ship’s speed.
The primary duty of a watch-keeping engineer is to ensure that machinery spaces are properly manned.
The primary duty of a watch-keeping engineer is to maintain constant surveillance of the steering gear.
MARPOL – Annex V. Disposal of garbage outside “Special Areas”. After unpacking spares, you are left with a limited amount of packing materials. Is this prohibited, if not, what will be the nearest distance to land for disposal into the sea of these materials?
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.
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:
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.
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 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.
When referring to onboard oil treatments using a centrifuge, what is meant by the term purification?
Separation of solid contaminants from a liquid during the process.
Separation of two insoluble liquids with different densities, and the removal of solids in the same process.
It is a general term applied to a process for cleaning oil using a centrifuge.
Separation of one insoluble liquid from another.
What is the correct name of the part highlighted in the illustration?
Which of the options represents the best action to take when an item of machinery, which normally operates in automatic mode, is operated in “manual” mode?
Keep the Chief Engineer informed of machines performance on an hourly basis.
Have someone permanently stationed at the machine in case of an operational problem.
Monitor the operation of the machinery on a frequent basis.
Change over all other machinery to manual mode of operation.
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”.
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.
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.
What is the approximate content of oxygen in air?
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.
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:
Give the meaning of the following symbol:
Indicates manual starting direction of 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 is the correct name of the part highlighted in the illustration?
Many large 2 stroke marine diesel engines are equipped with an auxiliary scavenge air blower. What is the purpose of this equipment?
To provide combustion air at start up, during manoeuvring and low load running when the turbocharger delivery is insufficient.
To allow full load running when the main turbocharger is defective.
To assist the main turbochargers in supplying combustion air when on full load.
To help cool the engine after it has been stopped.
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.
A flame detector is activated by:
Smoke, gas, sparks and high temperature.
The radiation of heat given off by flames.
The rise of the environment temperature.
The infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation given off by flames.
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.
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.
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.
During maintenance work on a compensated mechanical hydraulic governor air is drawn in to the hydraulic circuit after draining and flushing out the unit. Which of the actions given in the options is most likely to assist in the removal of the air from the system?
With the governor in operation open the compensation needle valve to introduce instability and disturb the engine load to make the governor hunt.
Overfill the governor with fresh oil to force all of the air out.
Drain the governor again and slowly refill with fresh oil.
With the governor in operation close the compensation needle valve and disturb the load to make the engine hunt.
Personnel in a high voltage switchroom smell ozone. Which of the following is the likely cause?
Air circuit breaker problems.
Arcing at badly connected bus bars.
Vacuum circuit breaker problems.
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 correct name of the tool shown in the illustration?
What is the correct name of the part highlighted in the illustration?
The responsibility for safety and security rests with everybody on board the vessel. General house-keeping rules should be followed. Which of the listed rules is the most important?
Do not carry lighters or matches when working outdoors.
Always use gloves when using grinding machines.
Keep tools within easy reach during work.
Keep your working area clean and tidy.
On finding a person apparently unconscious in a High Voltage switch room, which of the following should be done?
Raise alarm then drag the victim clear so that they cannot reach live parts while receiving aid.
Check if the victim is in contact with live parts and if not apply first aid.
Raise alarm, identify means of isolation and apply before approaching victim.
Trip all breakers and approach victim.
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.
During an unmanned period on a UMS vessel the “low water level” alarm for the jacket cooling water system expansion tank activates. What action would you take as duty engineer?
Answer the alarm then block the alarm and change to manned engine room condition.
Answer the alarm then block the alarm function for later action and resume unmanned operation.
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.
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.
A section of seawater pipe has been removed for maintenance. When refitting the pipe after completing the work the bolt holes in the flanges are found to be misaligned. What procedure should be followed to finish the work?
Adjacent pipework should be slackened off to allow the pipe to be aligned. Any incorrectly positioned brackets should be adjusted after the pipe is refitted.
Use a chain block to pull the pipe flanges into alignment and leave it in place after the bolts are fitted to avoid overstressing the bolts.
Use wooden wedges to force and hold the pipe into the correct position and then fit the bolts.
Force the pipe into position and then hammer the bolts into the holes to hold the pipe flanges into alignment.
What is the ideal working temperature for physical work?
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.
What function is this operational amplifier circuit performing?
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”.
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.
PT-100 sensors are some times used with 3 or 4 wires. What is the reason for this?
Higher mechanical strength of the cable.
Because of power-consumption.
Higher measuring accuracy.
You are starting to get low on water in the lifeboat. What should you do?
Mix sea water with 50 % fresh water.
What is the period of validity of the Safety Management Certificate?
Vibration analysis is often used as a conditioning monitoring tool onboard ship as part of the approved planned maintenance system. Many vibration measuring instruments are fitted with a harmonic filter/analyser. How would these filters normally be used during vibration measurement on a centrifugal pump?
To block out any noise or vibration from the surrounding engine room.
To generate an audible sound signal at the same frequency and amplitude as the vibration.
To isolate a single frequency of vibration associated with one of the pumps components.
To sum up all the harmonics of a base frequency to give total vibration for all of the pump’s components simultaneously.
How many separate means of escape are provided from each fire zone above the bulkhead deck?
What is the correct name of the tool shown in the illustration?
What is the correct name of the part highlighted in the illustration?
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.
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 cylinder lubricating oil enters the cylinders when the piston is in the required position.
To ensure the correct amount of cylinder lubricating oil is fed into the cylinders.
To avoid excess pressure in the cylinder lubrication system.
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.
On some large slow speed engines the crosshead guides are adjustable to allow the clearance between the crosshead shoes and the guides to be set equally. The normal arrangement is to have bolted on guide bars with shims fitted behind them. Which of the methods given in the options is the one normally used to ensure this is done correctly?
Fit an equal number of shims behind each guide bar which should result in equal clearances between the guide bars and shoes along the whole length.
Turn the engine so that the piston for the cylinder concerned is at TDC and measure the clearance along the length of each bar and shoe and fit shims to equalise the clearances.
Turn the engine so that the piston skirt is at the bottom of the liner. Use wedges to centralise the piston. Measure the clearances along the length of each bar and shoe and fit shims to equalise the clearances.
Turn the engine so that the piston for the cylinder concerned is at BDC and measure the clearance along the length of each bar and shoe and fit shims to equalise the clearances.