DieselShip's Online Content Library

Q1: A. State, with reasons, the locality and extent of damage which may be sustained by the hull structure of a ship being driven hard through heavy seas; B. Describe how such damage stated in A. may be repaired.

Q1. A. What is “Open loop” & “Close loop”? Discuss the relative advantage of each. B. Sketch a practical close loop system and describe the loop explaining the meaning of the Terms - (I)Servo-motor; ii) Feedback; (iii)Sensor Element

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.

Q7. An Auxiliary boiler is periodically unattended and equipped with alarms to cover low water level, high steam pressure, and air and flame failure.

A. State why and how fuel the burners are automatically cut off under alarm conditions of water level, steam pressure, air and flame failure.

B. Describe how and when each of the above alarms is tested without endangering the boiler.

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.

Q1. A. Describe an automatic self de-sludging centrifuge suitable for dealing with fuel of density upto 1010 kg/m3 at 150C;

B. Explain how the centrifuge described in Q4 (a) is able to remove water from a fuel which has a density that is higher than that of water and state factors that may assist the operation.

C. As Second Engineer, write down the start-up procedure for the centrifuge described in Q1 (A) for the benefit of your staff;

D. State how is the problem of catalytic fines in fuel oil may be dealt with.

Q2. A. How is the cylinder lubricators fitted in a large marine diesel engine that has a water jacket? B. Where is the location of the lubricator outlet in relation to the piston rings on the piston? C. Why is this position necessary?

Q2: Describe the in-water survey to classification society requirements of the external underwater structure of a very large crude carrier.

Q3. Ships are provided with an independent diesel or electric or air operated emergency fire pump.

(a) State three areas in which emergency fire pump are commonly installed and give reasons why?

(b) Describe with aid of a simple sketch an air pump or primer used to initiate suction when the fire pump is situated above sea water level.  What suction lift would you expect from a single stage pump system?

(c) State the water jet capacity the pump must be capable of.

(d) State how it can be ensured that the fire pump is kept in good working order.

(e) State what precaution must be taken in sub-zero temperatures?

(f) Using a simple sketch describe with reasons, how the emergency fire pump is connected to the ship’s fire main showing position of any isolation valves fitted and location of international shore connection

Q6. A. Describe the survey procedure of an oil lubricated stern bearing and shaft. (8)

B. Explain how the integrity of the outboard seal of an oil lubricated stern tube may be proved before the dry-dock is flooded. (8)

Q2. A. State the necessary conditions required prior to the synchronizing of electrical alternators.

B. Describe the type of cumulative damage that may be caused when alternators are incorrectly synchronized;

C. Explain how the damage referred to in (b) can be avoided / reduced.

D. For two alternators operating in parallel state the consequences of:

(i) Reduced torque from the prime mover of one machine.

(ii)Reduced excitation on one machine.

Q2.A. Explain how analysis of used lubricating oil can be used as a “health-monitoring” tool for diesel engines.

B. Describe how vibration measurement can be used with a main engine turbo-charger:

i. For fault analysis;

ii. For condition monitoring with respect to maintenance;

iii. As a substitute to opening up machinery for survey.

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.

Q5. In engine rooms that are operated under UMS conditions describe with the aid of sketches how the following are monitored:

A. The perforation of a high-pressure fuel pipe;

B. The imminence or possibility of a scavenge fire;

C. Condition that may be conducive to a crankcase explosion

Q7. Fatigue is one of the main causes of crankshaft failure - A. Indicate on a sketch the most likely location of a fatigue crack; B. Explain how a fatigue failure is identified; C. Describe how a fatigue crack may be initiated; D. Describe, with the aid of sketches, the methods used to inhibit fatigue cracks.

Q3. The direct online start of squirrel cage motor is used for most electrical drives on a.c. powered ships. Describe with sketches as necessary one method of overcoming each of the following Problems:

A. High starting current; B. Low starting torque.

Q4. A. Briefly describe the causes and effects of bacterial attack of lubricating oil.

B. Bacterial activity has been detected in the lubricating oil of the main engine fitted in the ship aboard which you are serving as 2ndeng. Write a letter to the owner/operator of the ship indicating the action you intent to take and offer suggestion to the avoidance of future incidents.

Q4. With reference to hydraulic steering gears, sketch and describe each of the following: (A)Single failure concept;

(B)100 Percent redundancy.

Q4. A. With reference to shipboard sewage systems, Describe the principle of operation of EACH of the following types - I. Flow through system; II. Collection / Holding / transfer system; III. Zero discharge system. B. I. Explain why sewage systems involving aerobic action are to be preferred to those with anaerobic action. Aerobic Action: II. Explain the meaning and significance of the term Biological oxygen demand.

Q5. A palm of the rudder of a vessel requires extensive welding repairs and as a Chief Engineer you are requested to supervise –

A. Suggest a suitable type of welding process;

B. State with reasons FOUR common welding defects that can occur there;

C. State what tests may be carried out before returning the rudder to service.

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.

Q3. Diesel electric propulsion is now being chosen as the power plant for an increasingly wide variety of vessels.

(a) Sketch a simple layout of such an installation.

(b) Explain the advantages of selecting such a plant.

Q6: With reference to Turbo-Chargers;

A. Explain why when surging occurs, the speed off the turbocharger is seen to change slightly;

B. Give examples of defects likely to result in surging;

C. Explain in simple terms what occurs in a turbocharger and the diesel engine as the speed / power increases. Based on the explanation what is meant by matching of T/C with an engine?

D. State the advantage of fitting uncooled turbochargers.

Q5. A. State why fixed pitch propellers have a poor efficiency when going astern.

B. With reference to controllable pitch propellers state:

i. Why is it preferable that the main servomotor be housed in the propeller hub rather than in the shafting forward of the propeller shaft?

ii. What regular maintenance and checks should be carried out to ensure maximum reliability of the gear at all times?

Q6. With reference to the pumping of cargo tanks of chemical tankers - A. Sketch and describe an arrangement used with the cargo pump or independently of the pump, to facilitate tank drainage; B. State significant regulation which will assist in reducing pollution of sea by chemical cargoes.

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.

Q5. Describe - A. A safety lamp approved as part of slips statutory equipment LIFEBUOY SELF –IGNITING LIGHTS; B. A self-igniting lamp suitable for attachment to a lifebuoy; C. State the attention required to maintain them in a satisfactory working condition.

Q8. For a fully automatic provisions refrigeration system incorporating a number of rooms; A. Explain how each room temperature is set;  B. Describe the sequence of events following a demand for increased refrigerant flow from one room;  C. State with reasons the devices incorporated into the system to protect the machinery and equipment against malfunction;  D. State how satisfactory operation of the plant can be established?

Q5. A. Describe briefly the operation of an electrical or hydraulic main engine governor B.  For the type described indicate how failure can occur and the action to be taken if immediate correction cannot be achieved and the engine must be operated.

Q6. With regards to main transmission shaft flange coupling arrangements:

A. Sketch a hollow type coupling bolt and the hydraulic head/nut and loading rod which are used to fit it.

B. Describe how the bolt is fitted.

C. State the advantage of the hollow coupling bolt as compared to the traditional type of coupling bolt.

Q6. A. Describe how the force on the ship’s bottom and the GM vary when grounding takes place.

B. A ship of 8,000 tonnes displacement takes the ground on a sand bank on a falling tide at an even keel draft of 5.2 metres. KG 4.0 metres. The predicted depth of water over the sand bank at the following low water is 3.2 metres. Calculate the GM at this time assuming that the KM will then be 5.0 metres and that mean TPC is 15 tonne.

Q6. A. A series circuit having resistance, Inductance and capacitance is to be operated on a constant voltage supply of available frequency. Indicate graphically how changes will take place in the terms, Reactive terms, i.e. Capacitive reactance and inductance reactance; B. A resistance of 130 ? and a capacitor of 30µF are connected in parallel across a 230 Volt, 50Hz supply. Find the current in each component, total current, phase angle and the power consumed.

Q7. With reference to the SOLAS 1974/1978 Convention as amended, which outlines mandatory requirements for steering gear tests and drills?

A. Describe the test procedure to be carried out within the, 12 hours before departure on a sea-voyage;

B. Describe the emergency steering drills that must take place at least once every, 3 months;

C.  State how often the test in (A) and the drill in (B) should be carried out for ships which regularly engage on voyages of short duration.

Q5. With reference to air receivers and bottles explain with reasons: A. Why regular systematic internal inspection is advisable? B. Which internal areas of large receivers should receive particularly close examination? C. How bottles are inspected internally and what parts should be closely examined? D. How the condition of a bottle or receiver that cannot be inspected internally is checked?

Q1. With reference to a particular make of main propulsion unit, describe how the engine is reversed manually and discuss the problems involved and the safety precautions which would be required if the control were operated remote from the machinery space.

Q7. A. Explain why centrifugal pumps cannot handle air or vapours to effect priming yet turbo- blowers operating on the same principle can.

B. If a vessel is fully laden, how may it be ascertained that the fire pump priming arrangements would operate satisfactorily in the ballast condition.

C. Explain a suitable method of priming suitable for a centrifugal pump.

Q6. With reference to a bank of emergency lead acid batteries:

A.  State the conditions of the battery bank if the specific gravity of a number of cells in the bank is in the region of 1.11 with an ambient temperature of 160Celcius;

B. Describe a systematic procedure for checking the conditions of the battery bank if it is divided into section for charging;

C. Describe the necessary routine maintenance;

D. Describe how capacity test carried out on bank of Batteries.

Q10. A. List the precautions necessary before an inclining experiment is carried out.

B. A box shaped vessel, 50 metres long × 10 metres wide, floats in salt water on an even keel at a draft of 4 metres. A centre line longitudinal watertight bulkhead extends from end to end and for the full depth of the vessel. A compartment amidships on the starboard side is 15 metres long and contains cargo with permeability 30%. Calculate the list if this compartment is bilged. KG = 3 metres.

Q9. A. Explain the working principal of a 3-phase induction motor. What are the various types of rotors? B. An 18.65Kw, 6-pole, 50Hz, 3 phase slip ring induction motor runs at 960 rpm on full load with a rotor current per phase of 35A, allowing 1Kw for mechanical losses, find the resistance per phase of 3-phase rotor winding.

Q7. With regard to the carriage of crude oil and its associated products: A. State the dangers involved; B. Sketch and describe the peration of an explosive meter suitable for testing pump rooms or tanks.

Q7. With respect to Diesel Engines, describe the cause of – i. Piston rings that is too tight in the piston grooves; ii. Corrosion of piston rings; iii. Piston grooves that are worn; iv. Piston rings that is too slack with piston grooves. B. Describe the effect of each of the faults listed above and the remedial action for each.

Q5. A. Describe a transverse bow thrust unit using CPP, mention how it should be made to support and how the strength of thrust and reverse thrust are achieved;

B. State with reasons, a suitable prime mover for the controllable pitch propeller;

C. State whether the thrust unit delivers a relatively low pressure head with high volume output or high pressure head with low volume output.

Q8. With reference to enclosed spaces - A. List the tests and precautions that should be taken before a person may enter such a space; B. List the precautions that must be observed whilst personnel are in the space and actions to be taken in the event of an accident.

Q8. A. Define longitudinal centre of gravity (LCG) and longitudinal centre of buoyancy (LCB).

B. A ship 120m long floats has draughts of 5.50m forward and 5.80m aft; MCT1 cm 80 tonne m, TPC 13, LCF 2.5m forward of midships. Calculate the new draughts when a mass of 110 tonne is added 24m aft of midships.

Q8. Describe how a self-excited AC generator would work. B. A twelve-pole, three-phase, delta-connected alternator runs at 600 rev/min and supplies a balanced star-connected load. Each phase of the load is a coil of resistance 35 ohm and inductive reactance 25 ohms. The line terminal voltage of the alternator is 440V. Determine (a) frequency of supply, (b) current in each coil, (c) current in each phase of the alternator, (d) total power supplied to the load.

Q8. With respect to hydraulic Ram steering gears;

A. What emergency locking device can be used in order to speedily bring the steering gear to rest? State one reason the best angular position to lock the steering gear.

B. Use a simple sketch to show where the “Jumping” (top) and wear down (bottom) rudder carrier ring clearances can be measured. Indicate what clearances you would expect with a new steering gear;

C. State the consequences of the wear down clearances being reduced to less than Zero.

Q8. A. Describe the precaution necessary during the initial running-in of an Auxiliary Engine run on which is newly installed or has a major overhaul; B. Explain the possible causes of oxidation of lubricating oil.  C. State the frequency with which oil samples should be taken for analysis.

Q9.  Reverse osmosis is one of the alternative method for shipboard production of drinking water.

(a)  Describe using simple diagrams if necessary,  the principle of reverse osmosis.

(b) (i) Sketch a line diagram showing a single pass system for producing fresh water from sea water

(ii) Describe such a system.

Q9. A. State where information can be obtained with regard to the safe carriage of hazardous substances as cargos. B. For a hazardous substance of your choice as a cargo, discuss each of the following; i) Storage and transport; ii) Hazardous properties; iii) Firefighting and suppression techniques; iv) Medical effects and treatment after physical contact with cargo.

Q8. A. Explain the use of KN curves. 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. Sketch a graph of starting current, and torque against the speed of rotation for a single cage motor.  B. A 230V motor, which normally develops 10Kw at 1000 rev/min with an efficiency of 85%, is to be used as a generator. The armature resistance is 0.15Ohm and the shunt field resistance is 220Ohm. If it is driven at 1080 rev/min and the field current is adjusted to 1.1A by means of the shunt regulator what output in Kw could be expected as a generator, if the armature copper loss was kept down to that when running as a motor.

Q4. Accidents regularly occur due to premature or accidental release of CO2 into machinery spaces. With reference to this, enumerate the procedure or arrangement that you as second engineer would adopt with respect of the following

A.  Contractors working on CO2 system;

B. Understanding between bridge and engine room in the event of a machinery space fire;

C. Familiarizing staff with the system;

D. Checks and tests are carried out before putting system in operation?

Q9. With reference to main engine tie rod explain.  A. Function; B. Effect on main engine in case slack; C. Identifying slackness; D. Material; E. Tightening procedure

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)

Q10. A. Describe the relationship between frictional resistance and: (i)Ship speed; (ii) the wetted area; (iii) surface roughness; (iv) The length of the vessel.  B.A ship travels at 15 knots and has a QPC of 0.865 with a delivered power of 2600 KW. The apparent slip is 5% and the real ship is 28%Calculate the total resistance and the wake friction.

Q10. A. Compare the effectiveness of a current limiting circuit breaker with that of a HRC fuse.

B. A coil having a resistance of 10 Ohm, and an inductance of 0.15 H is connected in series with a capacitor across a 100V, 50Hz supply. If the current and the voltage are in phase what will be the value of the current in the circuit and the voltage drop across the coil?