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.
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.
What is the correct name of the part highlighted in the illustration?
For two generators running in parallel, their share of additional load (kW) will be determined by the:
Voltage droop setting on each AVR.
Governor droop settings on each prime mover.
The temperature difference between the generator rotors.
The power factor of the additional load.
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.
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.
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.
You are starting to get low on water in the lifeboat. What should you do?
Mix sea water with 50 % fresh water.
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.
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.
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.
What is the correct name of the part highlighted in the illustration?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thermistors are temperature sensitive devices. A positive temperature coefficient thermistor will typically have:
Relatively linear characteristic.
Relatively non linear characteristic.
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.
A power card taken from a diesel engine cylinder using a mechanical indicator has a flat top. Which of the possible actions given in the options is most likely to correct this irregularity on the power card?
Lengthen the cord for the indicator drum drive.
Change the indicator spring for one with a higher rating.
Shorten the cord for the indicator drum drive.
Lubricate the indicator piston and cylinder.
Under which circumstances should a sprinkler head of a common fixed sprinkler fire-extinguishing system be activated?
When the smoke density exceeds 12,5 % obscuration per minute, but after the corresponding alarm is acknowledged and assessed at the control panel.
When the temperature is within a range from 68 °C to 79 °C, but after the corresponding alarm is acknowledged and assessed at the control panel.
Automatically, when the temperature is within a range from 68 °C to 79 °C.
Automatically, when the smoke density exceeds 12,5 % obscuration per meter.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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 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 is the approximate content of oxygen in air?
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.
What type of component does this graphical symbol illustrate?
Pressure-reducing regulator.
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.
When you are calibrating an instrument what is the most common second step in the procedure?
Adjustment of Zero-point.
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”.
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 carefull when fitting this type of seal?
The spring and bellows for the seal can be easily damaged.
The rubber O rings for the seal can be easily damaged.
The seal rings are hard and may score the pump shaft.
The seal rings are brittle and can be easily chipped or damaged.
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.
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?
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.
Where would you find out which fire sections are enclosed by “A” or “B” class divisions on a ship?
All the mentioned alternatives.
On the general arrangement plan.
On the Ship’s fire control plans.
In a purifier assuming the separating temperature is correct, what is the probable cause of the processed oil containing water?
The back pressure at the clean oil outlet is too high.
The gravity disc is too small and/or the flow rate is too high.
The throughput is too low.
The gravity is too large.
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.
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.
What is the disadvantage of using chemicals on an oil-spill on the water?
It is difficult to apply the chemicals if the oil drifts away from the ship’s side.
The chemicals make it difficult to remove the oil from the water.
It is difficult to apply chemicals if there is any wind.
The water gets a white colour, which makes it easy to detect the oil-spill.
What is the correct name of the tool shown in the illustration?
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.
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.
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.
Which component does this graphical symbol illustrate?
Pressure indicator, installed on panel/console.
Pressure indicator, installed locally.
Pressure relief valve, self-contained.
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 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.
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 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.
What is the period of validity of the Safety Management Certificate?
A detector that is activated by a rise of temperature is:
What cooling medium is normally used to cool the condenser of a fresh water generator?
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.
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.
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.
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 do you understand by the order: “Move the pilot ladder to the other side?”
Move the pilot ladder to the other side, means: to move the pilot ladder further along nearer to the bow.
Move the pilot ladder to the other side, means: to rig another pilot ladder.
Move the pilot ladder to the other side, means: to change the position of the pilot ladder from the main deck to the fore deck.
Move the pilot ladder to the other side, means: to shift the pilot ladder to the opposite side of the ship.
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.
Give the meaning of the following symbol:
Indicates manual starting direction of the engine.
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.
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.
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 increases engine efficiency by automatically maintaining the maximum cylinder pressure over part of the load range.
VIT improves engine operation by automatically controlling the start of fuel injection when it detects a poor quality fuel.
VIT allows the ship’s engineers to alter the injection timing for each load setting with a simple single adjustment of the fuel rack.
Which muscle is the most persevering one in the body?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is the correct name of the part highlighted in the illustration?
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.
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”.
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.
This device can detect a package of drugs inside a large delivery of ship’s stores. What is it?
Which of the following is not a principle of heat transfer utilised in an oil fired steam boiler?
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.
Which ships does the ISM code apply to?
All passenger ships, all cargo ships of 500 GRT or above.
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.
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.