The test consists of 80 random questions.
Total questions on this topic: 110
Some fuel oil and lubricating oil separators have a facility to control the back pressure of the clean oil outlet during start up and operation. What is the purpose of this control function?
To control the amount of fuel passing through the separator.
To help to maintain the oil/water interface at the correct position.
To assist in discharging the bowl contents during the sludge cycle.
To reduce the amount of sealing water required during operation.
Which of the following terms is used to describe a thermodynamic process in which no heat transfer into or out of the system occurs?
Which class of emission is used for FEC NBDP transmissions?
The operation of a diesel engine is controlled by a mechanical-hydraulic, compensated speed sensing governor. How will the governor control be affected if the compensation needle valve is closed in and the engine load changes?
Engine speed control will be sluggish.
The governor will hunt resulting in erratic engine speed control.
A change in load will not affect a speed sensing governor.
When will a ro-ro vessel pitch heavily?
When wave lengths are equal to the ship’s length.
When wave lengths are equal to half the ship’s length.
When wave lengths are equal to twice the ship’s length.
Most fuel oil separators working on the centrifuge principle have an automatic start up and sludging facility. Which of the following actions would you expect to occur first during the start up sequence?
Increase the scavenge air temperature to minimise the condensate from the charge air cooler.
Reduce the engine load to minimise condensate from the air cooler.
Ensure that condensate drains from the water separator are monitored and operating correctly.
Decrease the scavenge air temperature to minimise the condensate from the charge air cooler.
A 3-phase cage rotor induction motor requires protection by a time delay overload trip. What is the reason for this?
It will tolerate fault conditions during start up.
It will allow for inrush current or motor specific faults.
The water cooling space on a turbocharger is damaged and there is no spare casing. The cooling water must be shut off. Which option would you take to keep the risk of further damage to a minimum?
Dismantle the rotor and assemble the sealing plates.
Run the engine at a lower speed.
Make no modifications, but tell the duty engineer to pay special attention for abnormalities.
Cool the turbocharger by means of air.
What contributes most to rust formation on vehicles/Ro-Ro units?
Cargo hold ventilation systems and associated ducting.
Pipes passing through cargo holds.
Hydraulic units in cargo holds.
According to the rules of GMDSS vessels are equipped with certain radio-communication devices depending on:
Why is it important to reduce the diesel engine load during in service water washing of the turbocharger gas side?
To prevent damage to the turbine blades.
To reduce the air pressure to the water dosage pot.
To prevent overload of the turbocharger bearings.
To avoid cold corrosion of exhaust system.
Which ideal heat engine cycle is the vapour-compression refrigeration system based on?
The reversed Carnot cycle.
What is polymerisation?
The process by which unsaturated chemical compounds are heated under pressure, causing the molecules to react with each other and form larger molecules.
The process by which the molecules in unsaturated chemical compounds react with each other during cooling, forming larger molecules.
The process by which saturated chemical compounds are heated under pressure, causing the molecules to react with each other and form smaller molecules.
The process by which saturated chemical compounds react as pressure is released during heating, causing the molecules to react with each other and form larger compounds.
What are we seeing here?
A sailing vessel less than 20 metres in length, displaying the optional combined lantern in lieu of standard sailing lights, seen head on.
A sailing vessel, seen from astern, where the edges of her sidelights are both visible.
A sailing vessel of less than 10 metres in length, displaying the mandatory combined lantern in lieu of sailing lights, seen head-on.
A sailing vessel, at anchor.
The image shows an indicator diagram taken from a diesel engine cylinder. Which of the following options is the action most likely to identify the fault?
Check that the fuel temperature and viscosity are correct.
Check if the fuel injection valve is partly blocked.
Check if the fuel pump injection is too early, or fuel pump lead is too great, for that cylinder.
Prior to the lunch break, the Engineer on Duty observes that the operating generator set has an output of 90 %. With regard to operation of the generator, what is the – most important – assumption(s) for him to check before switching to UMS-mode?
Visually checking the auxiliary engine that there are no leaks or other obvious operating failures.
That a secondary auxiliary set is switched to automatic standby mode.
All parameters as listed under the other alternatives.
That all operating parameters of the generator set in operation are normal (e. g. exhaust temp, lube oil pressure, cooling water temperature etc).
According to SOLAS Regulation all dedicated seawater ballast tanks on oil tankers shall have an efficient corrosion prevention system such as hard protective coatings or equivalent. With regard to coatings do SOLAS set any requirement to colour?
Preferably light red colour.
What would the results of a TAN test, carried out on lubricating oil samples from a diesel engine, indicate?
A measure of the organic and inorganic acids in the lubricating oil.
A measure of the remaining alkalinity in the lubricating oil.
A measure of the inorganic acids in the lubricating oil.
A measure of the organic acids in the lubricating oil.
Which ideal heat engine cycle is the vapour-compression refrigeration system based on?
The reversed Carnot cycle.
How is the prime mover load normally kept to a minimum when starting up an electric driven reciprocating type air compressor?
By using an unloading device to keep the compressor suction valves open until the machine is up to speed.
By keeping the second stage drain valve open until the machine is up to speed.
By using an unloading device to keep the compressor delivery valves open until the machine is up speed.
By keeping the main discharge valve closed until the machine is up to speed.
How often should the lifeboat wire falls be turned and renewed?
Turned at intervals of not more than 30 months and renewed every 5 years.
Turned every 2 years and renewed every 4 years.
Turned every 30 months and needs only to be renewed if the wire is in poor condition.
What is the minimum furnace temperature that must be reached during start up before waste material can be introduced into an incinerator?
When bunkering through the port side of the bunker manifold what action should be taken with the valves on the starboard side of the manifold prior to bunkering operations commencing?
Blank flanges should be fitted to the closed starboard side manifold valves.
Just fit the blank flanges then it doesn’t matter if the valves are closed or not.
The blank flanges should be removed from the starboard side manifold valves to check for any leakage past the closed valves.
Just check that the valves are closed.
Which statement about the use of profiling onboard a ship is true?
A random selection process must be established.
Only visitors can be profiled.
Detection equipment can be used in place of profiling.
Profilers need at least half an hour to gather the information they need.
This circuit consists of two resistances, R1 = 6 ohm and R2 = 12 ohm, connected in series. Calculate the equivalent resistance R(S) of the two resistances.
What is a steering wheel?
A helm used to steer the ship.
A drum for heaving of ropes.
Another name for a lifebuoy.
Most fuel oil separators working on the centrifuge principle have an automatic start up and sludging facility. Which of the following actions would you expect to occur first during the start up sequence?
Operating water supplied to bowl to close it.
Sealing water supplied to bowl to prevent carry over.
Fuel oil supplied to bowl to fill it.
Operating water drained from bowl to open it.
How is the prime mover load normally kept to a minimum when starting up an electric driven reciprocating type air compressor?
By using an unloading device to keep the compressor suction valves open until the machine is up to speed.
By using an unloading device to keep the compressor delivery valves open until the machine is up to speed.
By keeping the main discharge valve closed until the machine is up to speed.
By keeping the second stage drain valve open until the machine is up to speed.
Which of the following symptoms would indicate that the filter drier in a refrigeration circuit has become blocked?
A large temperature drop across the drier.
A pressure rise before the drier.
A hammering noise from the drier.
Which one of the listed requirements regarding fire protected lifeboats do not correspond to present regulations? Water spray systems shall:
Have separate draining pumps of sufficient capacity.
Be arranged for flushing with fresh water and allowing complete draining.
Protect the occupants through a continuous oil fire for a period of not less than 8 minutes.
Have means for “turn on/turn off” the flow of water over the exterior of the lifeboat.
You have to choose one of the following instruments for measuring pressure in an air bottle in measuring range 0-35 BAR. Which instrument would you install?
A High Breaking Capacity fuse found in a Main High Voltage Switchboard will typically have fault level rating of?
When starting three phase induction motors which of the following starting methods will immediately apply rated voltage to the machine?
The engine turns over normally when starting air is supplied but does not fire even though normal starting rpm is achieved. What could be the probable cause to this?
Air in the fuel oil system.
The turning gear interlock has operated.
The turbocharger has not run up to normal full speed.
The lubricating oil temperature is low.
On board a DSC-call is to be made in case of an OBS. Choose the category:
The charge air pressure supplied to a diesel engine, which is normally 2,0 bar, is reduced to 1,5 bar. What will be the likely effect on the engine operation?
The cylinder cooling water flow will increase.
The performance of the engine will be reduced noticeably.
The performance of the engine will be similar to normal conditions.
The turbochargers cooling water flow will increase.
Which one of the following items has to be included in an abandon ship drill according to SOLAS regulations?
Manoeuvring the lifeboat in the water.
Launching and recovery of a survival craft.
Starting and operating radio life-saving appliances.
Checking that life-jackets are correctly donned.
According to the industry guidelines in the ISGOTT Guide and assuming terminal regulations do not require otherwise, what action should be taken to drain accumulated water from the deck during cargo handling operations in rainy conditions?
The accumulated water is to be drained periodically and the scupper plugs to be immediately closed once the water has been run off. Water containing oily residues is to be transferred to a slop tank or other suitable receptacle.
The scupper plugs are to be kept closed and sealed; any volume of water that is not contained should be allowed to flood over the fishplate.
During periods of heavy rain, it is considered prudent and safe to allow water to drain continuously; therefore scupper plugs should be removed in such conditions.
The accumulated water is to be transferred to a spare tank.
To avoid overbunkering and oil spill, it is very important that we closely monitor the progress of the bunkering operation. What is the safest method to use to minimise the risk of overflow and spillage?
Use the predicted loading rate to calculate how much oil is being received.
Open all the bunker tank lids to manually watch them filling.
Continuously monitor remote gauge readings and confirm with regular sounding of the fuel tanks.
The remote gauge system will provide us with the necessary information.
When trying to reverse a large slow speed diesel engine in the astern direction it cannot be turned on air even though it will start in the ahead direction. What is the likely cause of this problem?
The reversing servo for the fuel pumps has stuck in the ahead position.
One of the cylinder air start valves has stuck open.
The start is blocked because the air distributor has not moved to the astern position.
How can the pressure be regulated during start up of a positive displacement pump such as a gear pump?
Positive displacement pumps operate at constant pressure and cannot be regulated.
Adjustment of the pressure relief valve to recirculate part of the flow.
By throttling the suction valve.
By throttling the discharge valve.
A combustible gas indicator of the catalytic filament type is used to check the atmosphere in an enclosed space onboard ship. When taking readings in a fuel tank which has been emptied for cleaning the meter reading initially rises and then falls back to zero. What is the likely defect, if any, in the instrument when this type of behaviour is displayed?
The sampling pump is faulty.
The filament is contaminated due to too high a concentration of hydrocarbons.
The filament has burnt out.
The critical part of any bunkering operation may be considered to be when topping off the tanks at which stage the risk of overflow and spillage of fuel oil is greatest. What is the correct safe procedure to adopt to minimise this risk?
Top off all of the tanks together to reduce the inflow rate into each tank.
Watch for oil coming up the sounding pipe and shut the tank valve just before it overflows.
Reduce the bunker delivery flow rate and top off the tanks one at a time.
Shut off each tank as it overflows into the fuel oil overflow tank.
HEL-H is the abbreviation of a heavy helicopter radius of action for rescue purposes. What do you think the radius and evacuating capacity of the helicopter is?
100 nm and capacity for evacuating more than 10 persons.
500 nm and capacity for evacuating more than 25 persons.
200 nm and capacity for evacuating more then 15 persons.
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:
Telephones are being used to communicate between personnel onboard and ashore during a bunkering operation. What instruction would you give to ship personnel regarding action to take in the event of failure of the telephone communication during the operation?
Use a crewmember as a messenger between personnel involved in the operation.
Call the electrician, and get him to repair the telephone while the bunkering operation continues.
Slow down the bunkering rate until alternative reliable communications are established.
Stop the bunkering until alternative reliable communications are established.
What should be the status of the suction and discharge valves when starting a centrifugal pump?
Suction valve open and discharge valve closed.
Suction valve closed and discharge valve open.
Which is the “Fairlead”, in the figure?
The Fairlead is indicated by C, in the figure.
The Fairlead is indicated by D, in the figure.
The Fairlead is indicated by B, in the figure.
The Fairlead is indicated by A, in the figure.
You are in charge of a night bunkering operation. The delivery rate from the supplier is high and you are filling six tanks simultaneously. You lose track of the progress of the operation and feel that you are losing control of the situation. What action should you take?
Prepare yourself and the crew for an overflow.
Open more tanks to slow down the filling rate of individual tanks.
Stop bunkering, and establish facts, before bunkering is resumed.
Request a reduction in the delivery rate to try and gain some time.
When starting air is applied to a diesel engine the engine fails to turn over but is seen to oscillate back and forth. What is the most likely cause of this problem?
Starting air pressure is too low.
One or more cylinder air start valves are stuck open.
An interlock is blocking the air to the starting air distributor.
The automatic valve has failed to open.
Cargo gear/cranes should at regular intervals be thoroughly examined and load tested by a recognised company/yard. How often should such examination/load test take place?
Many large, slow speed diesel engines have direct oil cooling of the piston crowns provided. An automatic slow down and alarm are sometimes fitted to protect against failure of this system. Which parameter is usually used to initiate this slow down?
Low pressure in the cooling oil return line.
Low flow or no flow in the cooling oil return line.
High temperature of the piston crown.
Which of the following options would be a typical differential pressure setting for a main engine slow down in the event of jacket cooling water system low flow?
What is the colour of the smoke signal used by life-saving stations or rescue units indicating that distress signals are observed in daylight?
The majority of marine diesel engines operate with either a pulse or a constant pressure turbocharging system. What is the main difference between these two systems?
Pulse systems always have a turbocharger for each group of three cylinders.
Pulse systems have all of the cylinder exhausts connected to a common large exhaust gas manifold.
Constant pressure systems only ever have a single turbocharger irrespective of the number of cylinders on the engine.
Constant pressure systems have all engine cylinder exhaust connected to a common large exhaust gas manifold.
How long after starting a refrigeration compressor should the oil separator return valve be opened?
It should be opened one minute after start up.
It should be opened only when the crankcase oil level is low.
It should be opened once the oil separator unit has warmed up.
It should be opened before start up.
According to 33 CFR 156, oil tankers trading in US waters are required to test and document the testing of cargo transfer hoses and transfer pipe system. What is the minimum requirement when testing these components?
That no leakage occurs under static liquid pressure of at least 1,5 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
That no leakage occurs under dynamic fluid pressure of less than 1,5 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
That no leakage occurs at the nominal anticipated working pressure.
That no leakage occurs under static liquid pressure of at least 1,25 times the maximum allowable working pressure.
During mooring operations which is the safe place to be in?
Outside the colored zone.
Behind the “point of restraint” but inside the zone.
Between the “point of break” and the “point of restraint”.
Where ever you feel safe.
What is the correct name of the tool shown in the sketch?
When is it compulsory to use emergency wires/fire wires for mooring the vessel?
During loading/discharging of persistent/non-persistent oil.
At all terminals where tugs are available.
When requested by the terminal staff.
At the terminals in Canada and USA.
Which one of the options given is the most likely cause of a diesel engine failing to turn on air when the start signal is initiated?
An interlock or blocking device in the remote starting system is operating.
Start air compressor has cut out due to sufficient pressure in system.
Slight leakage at the indicator cocks.
Auxiliary blower is operating.
What do you understand by the term Maximum Continuous Rating, MCR, of a diesel engine?
The maximum speed that the engine can operate at continuously.
The maximum load that the engine can operate at continuously.
The maximum cylinder pressure that the engine can operate at continuously.
The maximum charge air pressure that the engine can operate at continuously.
What effect would turbulent fluid flow through a heat exchanger have on the efficiency of the heat transfer?
Turbulent fluid flow generally increases heat transfer efficiency.
It cannot be determined since it is not possible to generate turbulent fluid flow through a heat exchanger.
Turbulent fluid flow generally reduces heat transfer efficiency.
Heat transfer efficiency is not affected by the type of fluid flow through the heat exchanger.
For a ship operating or calling in US waters, COTP can request (OPA-90)?
Participation in all announced drills.
Maximum two drills a year.
Unannounced drills at any time.
Maximum one drill a year.
How will continuous low load operation influence the time between overhauls, tbo, for the cylinder covers and associated valves of a 4-stroke diesel engine?
Reduce the time between overhauls due to increased fouling.
Increase the time between overhauls since fuel injectors work better at low load so combustion will be improved and the maintenance will be reduced.
No influence at all, the required overhauls are unaffected by operating load.
Increase the time between overhauls since the engine is not working as hard.
What should the expansion valve superheat setting be in order to get the best possible efficiency from a refrigerator evaporator?
Prior to bunkering operations it is necessary to check the quantity of fuel remaining onboard and that there is sufficient room for the fuel that is to be loaded. What is the best method to use to establish this?
Use the latest figures from the fuel record book.
Do a complete sounding of all fuel bunker tanks.
Sound the tanks which you think might still contain some fuel.
Take a full set of readings from remote content gauges.
The muster list shall show the duties assigned to the different members of the crew. Which of the given duties necessarily have to be included in the muster list?
Preparation and starting of emergency generator.
Preparation and launching of survival crafts.
Type of fires that can be encountered on board.
A vessel is scheduled to enter a SECA during a forthcoming voyage? What additional considerations must a Chief Engineer take into account when planning for this voyage?
That the incinerator is shut down for the duration of the time the vessel is in the SECA.
That there is sufficient room in the bilge holding tank to ensure no discharges of machinery space bilges takes place while the vessel is in the SECA.
The availability of low sulphur fuel and the change over time required to ensure the system is clear of normal fuel prior to entry into the SECA.
That all garbage is fully disposed of prior to entry into the SECA and suitable arrangements are made for retention while in the SECA.
What is the purpose of the air distributor in a diesel engine air start system?
To ensure the cylinder air start valves operate in the correct sequence and for the correct period.
To ensure that the start air is distributed equally to the each of the engine cylinders.
To ensure the air consumption from each of the main air receivers is equally distributed.
To ensure that the automatic valve in the air start system opens and closes at the correct time.
When planning bunkering operations it is preferable to arrange for the new fuel to be bunkered into empty or nearly empty tanks whenever possible. What is the main reason for this?
So that the sulphur content of each fuel is known.
To minimise the risk of microbial contamination of the fuel.
To make it easier to calculate the quantity of fuel taken onboard.
To minimise the risk of incompatibility between different fuels.
Why is it necessary to have an effective ballast water management plan which includes provision for changing out ballast in open water rather than discharging ballast in coastal waters?
To allow ballast tank inspections to be carried out during ballast passage.
To keep the ballast water fresh in the ballast tanks during long voyages.
To ensure that ballast tanks are always pressed up during a ballast voyage to avoid free surface effects.
To avoid the introduction of non-indigenous species of marine life from one area to another.
The turbocharger on a diesel engine is surging. Which one of the following options would be the most likely cause?
The lubrication oil pump is malfunctioning.
Dirty rotor blades and nozzle ring.
Worn out bearings on the turbocharger.
Dirty scavenging air cooler on the air side.
In which way may intake of poisonous material occur?
Skin penetration and skin absorption.
When starting up an aerobic type sewage unit for the first time, of after manual cleaning, how should the bacterial process be initiated?
By adding an activating agent to the inflowing sewage.
By bypassing the grey water inflow and operating only with black water.
By shutting off the air flow.
By filling the unit with sewage and bubbling air through it for 48 hours prior to starting the discharge pump.
The main engine is running steady with an average exhaust gas temperature of approximately 350 °C. What would be a typical alarm/slow down setting for the cylinder exhaust gas temperature deviation from the average?
Consider a vessel with a 6 cylinder main diesel engine operating with one cylinder out of operation. What would you expect to be the approximate maximum reduced engine load to allow safe emergency operation in this condition?
Approximately 50 % of MCR.
Approximately 70 % of MCR.
Approximately 30 % of MCR.
Approximately 90 % of MCR.
The operation of a diesel engine is controlled by a mechanical-hydraulic, compensated speed sensing governor. How will the governor control be affected if the compensation needle valve is closed in and the engine load changes?
Altering the compensation needle valve has no effect on speed control.
The governor will hunt resulting in erratic engine speed control.
A change in load will not affect a speed sensing governor.
What types of fire extinguishers shall be used in the engine room?
Fire extinguishers equipped for powder or CO2 only.
Any fire extinguisher with a weight of less than 100 lbs.
Fire extinguishers filled with fresh water only.
Fire extinguishers of the handy-size types only.
What is the main precaution to be taken prior to engaging the turning gear for a diesel engine?
Open the indicator cocks.
Open the crankcase doors.
Transfer main engine control from control room to emergency control console.
Isolate the starting air supply.