DieselShip's Online Content Library

Q9: What in your view are the ideal requirements for lifeboat engine? Are they spelt out anywhere in SOLAS 74? Are these engines certified by any authority?

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.

Q3. Differentiate between half and full wave rectification. State where half wave rectification may be used and the purpose for which it is not well adapted. Sketch a bridge connection by which full wave rectification may be obtained.

Q6. You have opened up a main sea-water circulating pump (centrifugal type) onboard your vessel for examination and overhaul, describe the checks you would make, and state your conclusion regarding any faults found.

Q8. Explain why the use of residual fuels for the operation of large slow speed or of medium speed engines, may be responsible for the following problems with turbocharger nozzles, shrouds and blades and how in each, the problem may be minimized:

A. Build-up of deposits.

B. Hot corrosion.

C. Erosion (16)

Q2. A. Describe the procedure to be adopted for the inspection of a safety valve fitted to an exhaust gas fired auxiliary boiler stating, with reasons, which parts should receive particularly close attention.

B. Describe the procedure for the setting of safety valves of exhaust gas operated auxiliary boilers;

C. Explain the required action a watch-keeping engineer should take after the setting of safety valves as in (B)

Q2. A. Describe the arrangement made in a main structural bulkhead for a watertight door aperture; B. Explain a procedure for ensuring that sliding watertight doors are operated safely. C. Differentiate between the categories of watertight door and state the regulation pertaining each type.

Q3. The fire protection provided for the propulsion motor and generator of a diesel electric drive vessel is usually one of the following methods:

a. Fixed foam extinguisher;                   b. Fixed CO2 system;

c. Steam smothering system;                 d. Dry Chemical Powder.

Briefly state in a comparative analysis, how each one of these methods has some disadvantages when used with propulsion system as stated above.

Q2. On arrival port after a passage, following repairs are to be carried out. Prepare the specifications for the workshop on: - Deck seal of a IG system used in an oil tanker; Main Engine cooling sea water Overboard valve Aft winch hydraulic oil pressure line, holed at deck penetration in the Steering Compartment.

Q4. A. Describe with the aid of a simple sketch the arrangement of the three-phase winding of an alternator showing the neutral point.

B. Explain why for most ships the neutral point is insulated.

C. Explain why in some installation the neutral point is earthed?

Q2. The fuel consumption of your ship suddenly increases for no apparent reason, describe how you would investigate the problem and deal with it.

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.

Q1. A. Describe the preparation necessary before the application (in dry dock) of sophisticated or approved long life coating to the underwater surface of the hull;

B. State the significance of the roughness profile.

C. List the different sophisticated costing which are available.

Q1. A. (i) discuss the various hazards and problems which are associated with electric cable insulation in the event of fire;

(ii) Suggest remedies for these problems.

B. State how the spread of fire may be reduced by the method used for installing electric cables.

Q4. Explain the effect of reduced voltage on standard squirrel cage motors with respect to EACH of the following:

(i) Burn out; (ii) Starting current; (iii) Starting torque; (iv) Speed.

Q8: Boiler automatic combustion control has failed during operation of boiler. Explain: A. Procedures to operate boiler in emergency. B. Action plan to investigate, rectify and bring system to normal boiler operation.

Q3. It has been found that during recent periods of manoeuvring a number of air start value bursting discs or cones have failed - Explain the possible reasons for this; Indolent how the actual cause might be; Detected; Rectified

Q2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adopting the following for maintenance of main and auxiliary engines - A. Planned maintenance; B. Condition monitoring; C. Periodic replacement of components.

Q5. With reference to oil monitoring of bilge and tanker ballast discharges:

A. Describe with the aid of a sketch the general arrangement of an oil monitoring system;

B.  State the inputs that are recorded;

C. Explain the difficulties encountered with the efficient operation of the monitoring systems.

Q5: With reference to fatigue of engineering components explain the influence of stress level and cyclical frequency on expected operating life;

A. Explain the influence of material defects on the safe operating life of an engineering component;

B. State the factors which influence the possibility of fatigue cracking of a bed-plate transverse girder and explain how the risk of such cracking can be minimized.

Q4. A. what is intrinsic electric safety? B. can live maintenance be done on intrinsically safe circuits? C. Describe intrinsically safe equipment used on board ship.

Q3. With reference to a cylindrical boiler which has undergone major repairs, explain: - A. How is the boiler prepared for carrying out hydraulic test? B. What is the test pressure to which boiler is subjected to? C. What inspection should be made before, during and after the test?

Q7. Sketch and Discuss the precautions and protections that are provided to minimize the possibility of a diesel engine crank case explosion and the transmission of dangerous flame into the machinery space;

A. By design and equipment; B. By operating personnel

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.

Q4: With regard to the carriage of crude oil and its associated products: i. Sketch and describe the operation of an explosimeter suitable for testing pump rooms or tanks; ii. State why false readings are likely to be given by the explosimeter. iii. State the publication that gives guidance on safety.

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.

Q5. A. (i) Sketch a diagrammatic arrangement of a static or self-excited alternator.; (ii) Describe the operation of the self-excited alternator; B. state why the voltage dip is less in the self-excited alternator than in brushless or conventional alternators.

Q5. Write a report to your company’s Superintendent Engineer outlining the breakdown of a diesel generator engine and suggest remedial measures to prevent a recurrence of similar trouble.

Q2. A. Sketch and describe a control system for maneuvering a main diesel engine from the bridge

B.  Explain how local control may be effected in case of breakdown of the control system described in 2 (A).

Q6. With reference to electro-hydraulic steering gears:

A. Explain in terms of control parlance, the function of the “Hunting gear”;

B. Explain the consequences if the standby pumping unit is motored;

C. State TWO methods employed to prevent the standby hydraulic pump being motored by the operating unit.

Q6. Explain why the bilging of empty double-bottom or deep tanks below the waterline leads to an increase in GM. B. A ship of 10,000 tonnes displacement has GM=0.5 metres. The period of roll in still water is 20 seconds. Find the new period of roll if a mass of 50 tonnes is discharged from a position 14 metres above the centre of gravity.

Q6. A. What are factors on which the speed of a motor depends? Discuss them for series and shunt motors. A shunt motor supplied at 230 V runs at 900 rpm. When the armature current is 30 A, the resistance of the armature circuit is 0.4 , calculate the resistance required in series with the armature circuit to reduce the speed to 500 rpm. Assume that the armature current is 25 Amps.

Q9. With reference to chemical tankers:

A. Sketch a suitable cargo pumping and stripping system, labelling the component parts and indicating the direction of fluid flow;

B.  State the requirements of the regulations involved to reduce pollution of the sea by chemical tanker cargoes.

Q6. One of the main engines turbocharger on the vessel aboard which you are serving as Second Engineer has suffered a sudden and unexpected failure, State the causes and action undertaken in bringing the turbocharger back into service. What action you will initiate to avoid such reoccurrence.

Q6. Briefly explain the term fatigue and explain how fatigue failure occur; State the difference between high stress / low cycle and low stress / high cycle; State how defect in metal can influence the expected safe life of a component; State how fuel timing and cylinder power balance can influence the possibility of fatigue crack.

Q4. Enumerate the causes of vibration in diesel machinery and shafting. Describe procedures by which it may be reduced by operating personnel, suitable design and devices. State the possible effects of vibration on machinery and crewmembers.

Q7. A. Describe the effect of Cavitation on; The thrust and torque; The propeller blades B.A ship 120m long displaces 10500 tonne and has a wetted surface area of 3000m2. At 15 knots the shaft power is 4100KW, propulsive coefficient 0.6 and 55% of the thrust is available to overcome frictional resistance; calculate the shaft power required for a similar ship 140m long at the corresponding speed.   = 0.42 and n = 1.825

Q7. As Second Engineer of a ship, what steps you will take to familiarize the engine room staff with their respective duties and also to combat an emergency on board?

Q7. A. Derive an expression for the e.m.f induced in an a.c. generator. B. A 3000 KVA, 6 pole alternators runs at 1000 r.p.m in parallel with other machines on 3300 V bus-bars. The synchronous reactance is 25%. Calculate the synchronizing power for one mechanical degree of displacement and the corresponding synchronizing torque.

Q6.  A completely new unit comprising piston, rings, liners, cylinder head and valves was fitted to a six-cylinder single-acting four-stroke diesel generator. Before installing the clearance and sizes were checked and considered satisfactory. During a trial run the running characteristics were abnormal so the generator was stopped. On examination, it was seen that the new piston had badly scored and drubbed the liner and had indication of seizure in the upper part of the liner. Give your reasoned comments for this failure.

Q7. Describe the term volumetric efficiency as related to air compressor; Describe the effect of the following faults in multi stage reciprocating air compressor; Inter stage cooler starved of cooling water; Worn crank shaft bearing; Broken or worn scarper ring; Suggest a failsafe arrangement in the event of inter stage cooler water loss.

Q5. Name the factors an engine designer considers in the selection of the compression ratio for a compression ignition engine. Give some examples of compression ratio values.

Q8. A. Describe the ways in which an unstable ship can be made stable. B. When a mass of 25 tonnes is shifted 15m transversely across the deck of a ship of 8,000 tonnes displacement, it causes a deflection of 20cms in a plumb line 4m long. If the KM=7 m, calculate the KG

Q8. You have joined a vessel as a Second Engineer, which is about to undertake a six-month round voyage. Describe the key issues that you will attend and provide guidance to juniors towards proper Planned Maintenance of Engine Room and associated areas under ISM Codes.

Q8. A. Explain the purpose of interlopes and state their magnetic polarity relative to the main poles of both generators and motors.

A 200V, long-shunt compound-wound generator has a full-load output of 20kW. The various resistances are as follows; armature (including brush contact) 0.15 ohm, series field 0.025 ohm, interpole field 0.028 ohm, shunt field (including the field-regulator resistance) 115 ohm. The iron losses at full load are 780W, and the friction and wind age losses 590W. Calculate the efficiency at full load.

Q9. With reference to refrigeration system on board ship, enumerate the following: - A. Consequence of lubrication oil pressure low; B. Procedure for charging the system; C. Charging of shaft seal of a compressor; D. Reason of ice formation on the return line.

Q6. A. State the various types of indicator diagrams that are used to assess engine performance; B. Specify the additional data needed in conjunction with these diagrams; C. Explain, how some abnormalities in indicator diagrams can be traced to the indicator; D. Describe the precautions necessary to avoid indicator malfunctions.

Q5. With reference to Boiler water tests carried out onboard:

A. Discuss the possible reasons for the following changes in boiler water test results, and state what actions should be taken in each case;

1. Reduction in total dissolved solids and chemical reserves.

2. Reduction in phosphate reserve, with increase in chlorides and total dissolved solids;

3. Reduction in alkalinity reserve only.

4. Increase in oxygen levels only.

B. State why the complete results of boiler water tests are logged or entered into a data retrieval system rather than a note being made of any particular result which may be outside set limits.

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.

Q10. A. Explain the considerations which govern the size and shape of a rudder. B. A ship of 12000 tonne displacement has a rudder 15m2 in area, whose centre is 5m below the waterline.  The metacentric height of the ship is 0.3m and the centre of buoyancy is 3.3m below the waterline.  When travelling at 20 knots the rudder is turned through 30 .  Find the initial angle of heel if the force Fn perpendicular to the plane of the rudder is given by: Fa=577 Av2 sin  N, Allow 20% for the race effect.

Q9. With reference to dry-dock of sea going vessel, describe the following: - Precautions to be taken while the vessel is in the dry-dock; A. Checks to be carried out prior undocking; B. Precautions to be avoid fire in the engine room during the drydock.

Q6. A 72 KVA transformer supplies a heating and lighting load of 12 KW at unity power factor and a motor load of 70 kVA at 0.766 (lagging) power factor; Calculate the minimum rating of the power-factor improvement capacitors which must be connected in the circuit the ensure that the transformer does not become overloaded.

Q6. Give a reasoned opinion as to the accuracy of the following assertions:

a) Absence of oil grooves in the liner wall between the oil supply points results in increased wear of liner and rings.

b) ‘Timed lubrication’ has little merit,

c) The most suitable position of the oil supply point is immediately below the bottom piston ring with the piston at top dead centre.

Q2. Describe how you, as a Second Engineer, would prepare an auxiliary boiler for survey by a classification society.

Q10. A. List the components of residuary resistance. B. The following data are available for a twin-screw vessel:

Calculate the service speed if the brake power for each engine is 3500Kw. The transmission is 3% and the allowances for weather and appendages 30%.

Q10. Evaluate for a frequency of 15 kHz, the amplification and the phase difference between input and output signals of a voltage amplifier using a triode having an amplification factor of 48 and a mutual conductance of 1.2 m A/V with an anode-load resistant of 160 k . The output p.d. is fed by a coupling capacitor of negligible reactance to a subsequent circuit of resistance 480 k and the total shunt capacitance is 90µ F.