DieselShip's Online Content Library

Q1. In view of the number of fatalities involving inert gas for firefighting purposes, your company is considering alternative methods of protection for the machinery spaces, as Second Engineer compile a letter to the company expressing your views for the retention or rejection of inert gas system and stating your opinions on viable alternative systems

Q1. A. Sketch a transverse section through the hold space of a container ship hull;

B. Referring to the sketch in (A) describe how adequate structural strength is built into the hull.

Q6. With reference to the circuit breaker for an a.c. generator A. Describe the preventive maintenance carried out on the circuit breaker for an A.C Generator. B. Explain the sequence of events that might occur if the breaker opens on a short circuit and state the check you would require following such event. C. Give a safe procedure to follow should a main circuit breaker fail to open under fault condition.

Q3. A. Give a brief outline of the care maintenance that should be given to the stator and rotor of an A.C. generator;

B. Explain what is likely to occur if the driving power of one A.C. generator suddenly fails when two generators are running in parallel. What safety devices are usually provided for such events?

Q1. A. State, with reasons, FOUR possible causes of a propulsion engine failing to start when operating on bridge control; B.  Explain how the causes stated in A. may be determined; C. Explain the procedure for changing over to local control in the event of failure of the remote-control system of a marine diesel propulsion engine. D. State the procedure involved in achieving manual reversal of a marine diesel engine.

Q1. You have been appointed as Second Engineer of an older vessel which is in dry-dock and recently been purchased by your shipping company. Describe, in detail about your inspection, to ensure that the equipment’s on-board ship related to safety equipment survey are satisfactorily complied with. (16)

Q2. Briefly state the salient features of a cargo ship Safety Equipment Certificate (SEQ), and preparation to be made for survey on board a ship. Who issues the SEQ certificates for vessels of Indian Registry?

Q3: With reference to dry docking, define the responsibility of the second engineer;

A. Prior to docking;

B. Whilst the vessel is in dry dock;

C. Prior to flooding and leaving the dock.

Q8. Explain how each of the following conditions contributes to the satisfactory performance of oil centrifuges. A. Correct bowl speed; B. Cleanliness of bowl; C. Low rate of feed to the bowl; D. Contaminated oil preheated prior to centrifuging; E. Contaminated oil allowed standing for an appreciable time prior to centrifuging.

Q3. Compare methods of obtaining speed regulation of three-phase induction motor generally used in tankers by means of:

A. Rotor resistance; B. Cascade system; C. Pole-changing.

Give examples where each system may be employed with advantage.

With respect to control air supply system for Main Engine Control:

A. Define the essential conditions, which must be satisfied by the air supply for a pneumatic control system;

B. Sketch a control air supply arrangement and give a reasoned explanation for positioning of dryers and filters.

Q2. Sketch a high-lift safety-valve lid and seat detailing their special features. Describe how such a valve is overhauled and any clearance that should be measured and noted. (16)

Q3. A. Describe the safety precautions which are taken when using points, B. Describe the use of self-polishing anti-fouling paint, and the proposed banning of tributyltin (TBT)

Q2. With reference to lifeboats, describe with the aid of sketches: A.  The handbrake used for lowering and state how it may be tested. B. The centrifugal brake and state the method of testing. C. i. A roller ratchet and state the method of testing; ii. Explain why the ratchet is incorporated into the system;

Q9. A. Explain how the efficiency and regulation of a transformer can be assessed by open circuit and short circuit tests?

B. A 25 kVa signal phase transformer 2200:200V has a primary and secondary resistance of 1Ω and 0.01 Ω respectively. Find the equivalent secondary resistance and full load efficiency at 0.8pf lagging, if the iron losses of the transformer are 80% of the full load copper losses.

Q6.(a) Suggest four reasons why the temperature of the oil in the steering gear system may  become excessive.

(b) With reference to steering gears explain how the ship may be steered in each of the following circumstances;

(i) destruction by fire of the primary supply cable;

(ii) destruction by fire of the telemotor lines;

(iii) bearing failure in the running pump;

Q5. Give a list of the properties or tests by which distillate and blended fuels may be specified or decisions be made on their fitness for use. Name the properties or constituents that may be found in a blended fuel having a high viscosity and high carbon content. Explain how they may cause problems in engine operation

Q9. With reference to fatigue of engineering components:

A. Explain the influence of stress level at cyclical frequency on expected operating life.

B. Explain the influence of material defects on the safe operating life of engineering component.

C. State the factors which influence the possibility of fatigue cracking of an auxiliary boiler feed water pump shaft and explain how the risk of such cracking can be minimized.

Q4. A. Sketch and describe a bilge oil separator with controls and alarm; B. Also, mention – briefly the international regulations made to prevent the pollution hazard; C. Sources from which oil may be mixed in ballast and bilge water.

Q2. State how and why the following machinery items are effected when the maximum service speed of a Vessel is consistently maintained in heavy weather.

A. Intermediate shafting,

B. Propeller shafting,

C. Shafting coupling bolts,

D. Main thrust pads.

Q4. With reference to a 3 speed a.c. cage motor driven cargo winch:

A. Sketch a circuit diagram for a pole change motor;

B. Describe how speed change and braking are achieved.

Q3: State how safety is achieved with regard to gas emission in battery rooms where a large number of lead acid cells are stored with reference to - A. Provision of lighting; B. Ventilation if a fan is fitted; C. Type of distilled water container for topping up; D. Use of tools and replacement of defective batteries.

Q5. Discuss the consequences of failure to maintain correct clearances in the case of main diesel engine crankshaft and bottom end bearings. Sketch a bottom end bearing paying particular attention to the arrangement of ensuring uninterrupted flow of oil to the top end bearing.

Q8. A. the UMS monitoring and control system of your ship has recently started to give false alarms and incorrect data printouts. State, with reasons, possible causes if the false alarms and reading are: I. Localized to a particular area of engine operation; ii. General to the engine room B. State, with reasons, the action you, as Second Engineer, would take to ensure continued safe operation of the vessel if the defects were general to the engine room. C. Explain the procedure you, as Second Engineer, would adopt in order to locate and rectify a general fault in the UMS system.

Q5. Receiving of bunkers is an important aspect of a Senior Engineers responsibility, A. State the safety precautions that should be observed when bunkering; B. Explain the importance of taking samples when bunkering; C. Explain a preferred method of taking samples; D. Slate the details available in bunker delivery note BDN); E. State the effect of EACH of the following in a fuel oil - High density; High pour point; High water content.

Q2. With reference to Roll-on Roll-off ferries –

A. Describe the problem of free surface effect;

B. Explain how it is intended that water should be cleared from car or cargo decks;

C. Describe possible methods for improving the stability and survivability of these vessels.

Q8. For vapour compression refrigeration machine, state how each of the following faults are indicated and how they are remedied:

(a) air in the system;

(b) Moisture in the system;

(c) undercharge;

(d) overcharge;

Q5. With reference to the condition monitoring of electrical machinery:

A. State TWO important parameters that may be recorded;

B. Explain how the parameters are measured and what defects may be revealed.

Q5. With reference to recent ratification of MARPOL 73/78 Annex VI, ships with be required to burn low sulphur (4.5%) fuel oil.  Discuss the properties of cylinder liner lubricant for compatibility with this type of fuel and the on-board management of operating the engines with two different types of fuel for main engine.

Q2. Sketch suitable welded joints indicating the approximate plate thickness and dimensions of preparation for the following purposes - A. End plate connection to the shell of an unfired pressure vessel; B. Longitudinal seam of an unfired pressure vessel; C. Prefabricated combustion chamber for an auxiliary boiler

Q6. Write short notes on - A. Role of Recognized Organization (Classification Societies) on ship; B. Enhanced survey program (ESP); C. Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) for oil tankers.

Q9. With respect to Buoyancy of a vessel:

A. What do you understand by reserve buoyancy what happen if the lost buoyancy is greater than the reserve buoyancy?

B. A forward deep tank 12 m long extends from a longitudinal bulkhead to the ship’s side. The widths of the tank surface measured from the longitudinal bulkhead at regular intervals are 10, 9, 7, 4 and 1 m. Calculate the second moment of area of the tank surface about a longitudinal axis passing through its centroid.

Q2. With reference to reciprocating air compressors explain the cause of the following faults.

A. Collapse of discharge valve springs;

B. Breakage of plate valves;

C. Overheating of the discharge air with an unrestricted air intake;

D. Inoperative piston rings.

Q6. (a). Explain the significance of the root- mean- square value of an alternating current or voltage waveform; Define the form factor of such a wave form.

(b). A total load of 8000 kW at 0.8 power factor is supplied by two alternators in parallel. One alternator supplies 6000 kW at 0.9 power factor. Find the kVA rating of the other alternator and the power factor.

Q7. With reference to fouling on the gas side of turbochargers, state -  A. What are the common causes and nature of the deposits?  B. How it effects engine operation? C. how it is reduced in practice?  D. How heavy fouling can be avoided?

Q3: A. (i) Sketch a combustion gas system, suitable for inerting the cargo spaces of a vessel; (ii) Describe the operation of this system. B. State the percentage analysis by volume of the inert gas generated by the system in (A).

Q1. A. Describe with the aid of a sketch, the arrangement of exhaust and air inlet passages in a medium speed four stroke engine cylinder head. B. With reference to [a] indicate where cracking might be expected stating the likely cause.  C. Explain the different factors that tend to cause distortion of 4stroke cylinder head. D. Explain how the effects described in [c] are minimized.

Q7. A. Explain how to distinguish between list and loll and describe how to return the ship to the upright in each case. B. A ship 120m long has a light displacement of 4000 tonne and LCG in this condition 2.5m aft of midships.  The following items are then added:

Using the following hydrostatic data, calculate the fine draughts:

Q3. Explain the principle of port State control and give in detail the verification the Port State Control Officer may carry out with particular reference to the following;

A. Emergency generator; B. Auxiliary steering gear; C. Lifeboat engine; D. Bilge pumps; E. SOPEP.

Q7. A. Electric motors contain a stationary member as well as a rotating member. For each of the following machines, identify in which part of the motor three field winding and the armature winding are located: three phase induction motor, three phase synchronous motor, d.c. motor.

B. A 220 V, d.c. shunt motor has an armature resistance of 0.5 ohm and an armature current of 40 A on full load. Determine the reduction in flux necessary for a 50 per cent reduction in speed. The torque for both conditions can be assumed to remain constant.

Q7: Describe the routine maintenance required to be undertaken at periodical intervals, for inert gas system of a larger tanker

Q2. The pipe work of the sea water circulation system for a passenger ship has to be completely renewed. The company contracted for the work has no previous experience of marine installation. You as the Second engineer have been requested to write the specification for manufacture and installation of the steel pipe; outline your proposal for manufacture of the pipe; State the necessary requirements for approval.

Q8: Sketch a safety valve of a type normally mounted on an auxiliary boiler. Identify with reasons those parts that require particularly close examination and attention during overhaul.  Describe how the valve is reset under steam after overhaul.

Q8. A) Explain how the distribution of masses affects rolling and pitching. (6)

B) A ship turns in a circle of radius 100 metres at a speed of 15 knots. The GM is 2/3 metres and BG is 1 metre. If g = 981 cm/sec2 and 1 knot is equal to 1.8532 Km/hour, find the heel due to turning. (10)

Q8. With regard to the safety on board ship carrying crude oil and its associated products, state the training you will impart to the junior engineers with respect to the following: A. Operation of an explosimeter suitable for testing pump rooms or tanks; B. Entry into enclosed spaces. C. Lowering of life boat. D. Incinerator.

Q9. A. Show how the power that is transferred across the air gap of the three-phase induction motor is represented. Explain the terms. What portion of this is useful power?

B. A 440 load of 400 KW at 0.8 (lagging) power factor is jointly supplied by two alternator A and B. The KW load on A is 150 KW and the KVAr load on B is 150 KVAr (lagging). Determine the KW load on B, the KVAr load on A, the power factor of operation on each machine and the current loading of each machine.

Q1. With reference to torsional vibrations in a main propulsion installation based on medium speed engines, gearbox and controllable pitch propeller: Explain how the vibrations may be caused; State the possible effects and damage that could result; Discuss the methods employed to minimise the potential problems associate with torsional vibration; Describe how the natural vibration frequency of the system could be modified.

Q4: An auxiliary engine exhibits a tendency to hunt to such an extent that the engine speed variation prohibits the connection of the machine to the switchboard. (a) Discuss the possible causes of hunting. (b) Explain how the problem of hunting can be rectified.

Q2. With reference to classification society’s survey, explain the following

A. Why a Class certificate is issued to a newly built ship after satisfactory completion of survey and sea trials, what is the purpose of a Class certificate?

B. Is it necessary to call a Class surveyor after repair or alteration to the ship’s structure If so, why?

C. Describe the requirement for initial and periodical survey respect to International Load Line.

Q9. A) Describe the effect of cavitations on the propeller blades. (6)

B) A propeller 4.6m diameter has a pitch of 4.3m and boss diameter of 0.75 m. The real slip is 28% at 95 rev/min. Calculate the speed of advance, thrust and thrust power.  (10)

Q7. Recent experience has shown persistence damage occurring on seating faces of main engine exhaust valve, which is not confined to any particular unit; (a) State with reason the possible causes; (b) State the short-term action to be taken in order to minimize engine operational problem; (c) State with reason how future incident of this nature could be minimized

Q10. A.  Explain the preference for a 60 Hz system. Describe the dangers of running a 50 Hz system from a 60 Hz supply.

B. A ring-main, 900m long, is supplied at a point A at a p.d. of 220V. At a point B, 240m from A, a load of 45A is drawn from the main, and at a point C, 580m from A, measured in the some direction, a load of 78A is taken from the main. If the resistance of the main (lead and return) is 0.25 ohm per kilometre, calculate the current which will flow in each direction round the main from the supply point A and the potential difference across the main, at the load where it is lowest.

Q3. As second engineer you have been requested to obtain a set of indicator card from the large slow speed engine of a recently purchased second hand ship.

A. Describe your initial checks and preparations;

B. State with reason the types of card you would consider necessary and explain the procedure for obtaining these;

C. State in order of importance the additional information required with the card;

D. State your procedure for analysis of the cards and obtaining cylinder powers.

Q2. With reference to the carriage and pumping of liquefied gas cargo:

A. Sketch a suitable pumping system labelling the component parts;

B. State;

i) Why submerged hydraulically driven pumps are not used;

ii) How overheating of pump drive shaft bearings is avoided;

C. State, how the risk of fire and explosion in cargo tanks is obviated both in the loaded and discharged condition.

Q10. A) Describe the stability requirements of a ship for dry-docking. (6)

B) A ship 130m long displaces 14000 tonne when floating at draughts of 7.5m forward and 8.10m aft. GML – 125m, TPC – 18, LCF-3m aft of midships. Calculate the final draughts when a mass of 180 tonne lying 40m aft of midships is removed from the ship. (10)

Q10. What is direct-connected alternator? How is a direct-connected exciter arranged in an alternator?  Sketch a graph of starting current, and torque against the speed of rotation for a single cage motor. A 440V shunt motor takes an armature current of 30A at 700 rev/min. The armature resistance is 0.7 ohm. If the flux is suddenly reduced 20 per cent, to what value will the armature current rise momentarily? Assuming unchanged resisting torque to motion, what will be the new steady values of speed and armature current? Sketch graphs showing armature current and speed as functions of time during the transition from initial to final, steady-state conditions.