DieselShip's Online Content Library

Q1. A fire in the exhaust gas boiler on a motor ship may develop in two or three stages. With reference to such situations; discuss: A. The factors which could be responsible for initiation and development of: i) Ignition of soot; ii) Small soot fires; iii) High temperature fires; B. State the standing instruction you, as Second Engineer Officer, would issue to watch keepers with respect to the action to be taken in the event of a boiler uptake fire.

Q3. A. With reference to the underwater surface of a ship’s hull; i. Describe a hull plate roughness analyser system;

ii. State the significance of the roughness profile and compare the typical roughness values for a new ship and a ship eight years old;

B. Which reference to the application of self-polishing paint in dry dock - i. Describe the plate preparation necessary;

ii. State the defects that may occur in the paint coating if it is not correctly applied.

Q1. What is a marine high voltage system? Sketch and describe a shipboard high voltage switch board and its protective devices.

Q2. Write a report to your Engineer Superintendent describing a breakdown of the main refrigerating plant for cargo or ship provision giving reasons for the breakdown, the method of repair and the action taken to prevent a recurrence.

Q1. You have been appointed as Second Engineer to a new vessel that experiences severe aft end vibration. The problem is thought to emanate from the propeller. Describe the cause of vibration and suggest possible remedies including the selection of a new propeller with a different number of blades.

Q1. A. State the standing instruction you, as Second Engineer, would issue with respect to the action to be taken in the event of a boiler uptake fire; B. State how the incidence of uptake fires may be minimized; C. State the reasons for blow – back from the furnace of an auxiliary boiler; D. State the standing instruction you, as Second Engineer would issue with respect to the avoidance of boiler furnace blow – back.

Q1. With reference to membrane tanks for the carriage of liquefied gas at very low temperatures. A. Describe with a sketch one method of building up the insulation; B. State which alloy is used for the membrane and the reason; C. Describe with the aid of a sketch, how the tanks are located and supported. i) Longitudinally; ii) Transversely

Q3. A. Sketch a line diagram of an automatic water sprinkler fire detection/alarm and firefighting system fitted in accommodation and service spaces of passenger vessels; B. Describe the system sketched above and its mode of operation; C. State the action that should be taken after the use of sea water in the firefighting system

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.

Q2. What is soft starting of an Induction motor? Describe with a circuit using thyristors used for soft starting. Discuss its advantages and dis-advantages.

Q2. A. State with reasons the main causes of normal cylinder liner wear; B. State TWO forms of abnormal liner wear, explaining how EACH may be caused; C. Explain how cylinder liner wear may be kept within acceptable limit

Q6. With reference to hydraulic system for deck machinery identify: A. The types of contamination likely to be found in hydraulic systems for deck machinery; B. The sources of such impurities; C. Means used to prevent problems with contamination; D. Possible effects of the oil contamination on the system.

Q4. Describe a forced ventilation system for the machinery spaces and a natural ventilation system for a lower hold. Why hold ventilation is considered necessary?

Q2. A. A hydraulically operated ballast tank valve situated in the duct keel has failed to close. State as Second Engineer your procedure for directing safe entry by engine room staff to the duct keel to ascertain the cause and possibility to carry out a repair.

B. State if any procedure is to be followed before making an entry, and the relevant IMO code under which such procedures are required

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.

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.

Q1. Sketch and describe a turbocharger bearing lubrication system. State the type of bearing employed and explain the advantages and disadvantages of the lubricating system described.

Q3. Sketch and describe a cargo space inert gas system producing washed gas from either a main boiler or from an independent gas generator module. Elaborate the alarms and cut-outs incorporated in the system to prevent any accident.; Explain the various protections for cargo tanks with respect to pressure vacuum build up inside the tanks.

Q7. With respect to trim and stability, describe the following - A. Effects on centre of gravity of slack tanks; B. Effect on stability of ice formation on superstructure; C. Effects of wind and waves on ship’s stability; D. Effect of water absorption by deck cargo and retention of water on deck.

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.

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?

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?

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.

Q6. A. Explain how and why the performance of reciprocating air compressor tends to “fall off” in service. B. State how “fall off” is indicated and to what extent permissible before correction; C. Describe how optimum performance is restored; D. What is the significance of clearance volume: for reciprocating air compressors.

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.

Q4. With reference to the prevention of hull corrosion discusses:

A. Surface preparation and painting of new ship plates.

B. Design of the ships structure and its maintenance. C. Catholic protection by sacrificial anodes, of the internal and external areas of the ship.

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.

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?

Q2. With reference to lifeboats, describe with the aid of sketches: i. The handbrake used for lowering and state how it may be tested; ii. The centrifugal brake and state the method of testing; iii. Lifeboat servicing requirement and intervals for life boat wire fall renewal as per SOLAS 74. iv. The handbrake used for lowering

Q4. Misalignment of the main shafting between engine and propeller causes bearing overloads and shaft stress;

A. State the difficulties associated with checking shaft alignment and the reasons why results are unreliable due to external factors;

B. Explain with a simple sketch how a bearing load is assessed.

C. Explain how uneven loading could be rectified

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.

Q6. A. Describe how water tightness is maintained where bulkheads are pierced by longitudinal beams or pipes.

B. A triangular bulkhead is 7 m wide at the top and has a vertical depth of 8 m.  Calculate the load on the bulkhead and the position of centre of pressure if the bulkhead is flooded with sea water on only side:

(i) to the top edge,               (ii) with 4 m head to the top edge.

Q6. A. Describe the effect of the following loads on power factor: -

(i) Induction motors; (ii) Transformers; (iii) Partly loaded motors; (iv) Cage type motors.

B. In a 50-Kav, star-connected, 440-V, 3-phase, 50-Hz alternator, the effective armature resistance is 0.25 ohm per phase. The synchronous reactance is 3.2 ohm per phase and leakage reactance is 0.5 ohm phase. Determine at rated load and unity power factor:

(a) Internal e.m.f Ea (b) no-load e.m.f E0 (c) percentage regulation on full-load (d) value of synchronous reactance which replaces armature reaction.

Q9. What are the effects of following on the sluggishness of steering gear operations;

A. Air entrapped in hydraulic oil;

B. Worn pins and weak springs in hunting gear;

C. Shock valves leaking

Q3. A. Explain the causes of the formation of mill scale on steel plate. Describe the preparation necessary before the application of conventional paints to the underwater surface of the hull; C. Describe a coating scheme for the underwater hull using conventional paints.

Q5. Sketch and describe the arrangement of a main engine camshaft chain. Describe the repair procedure following fracture of one chain link during operation of the engine. Give possible reasons for the failure and explain how the chain is set initially at the correct degree of tension.

Q7. A. Distinguish between ships of Type “A” and Type “B” for the purpose of computation of free board, B. The draughts of a ship 170m long are 6.8.5 m forward and 7.50m aft MCTI cm 300 tonn m; TPC 28; LCF 3.5m forward of midships. Calculate the new draughts after the following changes in loading have taken place. 160 tonne added 63 m aft of midships; 200 tonne added 27m forward of midships; 120 tonne removed 75 m aft of midships; 70 tonne removed 16 m aft of midships

Q9. Write reference to gravity life boat davits; state the purpose of the following:

A. Centrifugal brake, B. Dead man’s handle; C. Davit limit switch.

Q7. Briefly describe your action plan on following exigencies:

A. Leaky economizer tube, while at sea;

B. Leaky intercooler of main air compressor, while manoeuvring.

Q7. A. By means of a schematic circuit diagram illustrate the peak rectifier. If the supply voltage is v(t) = Vm Sin wt, what is the voltage across the load resistor?

B. A battery-charging circuit is shown below in Fig. The forward resistance of the diode can be considered negligible and the reverse resistance infinite. The internal resistance of the battery is negligible. Calculate the necessary value of the variable resistance R so that the battery charging current is 1.0 A.

Q6. A. Draw a block diagram for a fully automated accommodation air conditioning unit, labelling the component parts and indicating the directions of air flow; B. Explain why the unit includes means of dehumidification and humidification; C. A chart is used for ensuring that the accommodation conditions are within the so-called Comfort Zone: what useful information does the chart give?

Q4. With reference to Main engine piston rings:

(a) Analyze the causes of piston ring breakage.

(b) How maintenance and engine operation can minimize piston ring breakage.

(c) Explain the possible consequences with respect to performance and safety of operating the engine with broken or severely worn piston rings

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.

Q8. A. Explain the reasons for fitting bulbous bow. B. When a ship is 800 nautical miles from port its speed is reduced by 20%, thereby reducing the daily fuel consumption by 42 tonne and arriving in port with 50 tonne on board. If the fuel consumption in t/h is given by the expression (0.136+0.001 V3) where V is the speed in knots, estimate: (i) The reduced consumption per day; (ii) The amount of fuel on board when the speed was reduced; (iii) The percentage decrease in consumption for the latter part of the voyage;

(iv) The percentage increases in time for this latter period.

Q7. It is found that the tie rods are persistently becoming slack: A. State, with reasons, the possible causes; B. State, with reasons, the likely effects on the engine if it is allowed to operate with slack tie rods; C. Explain how this problem can be minimized?

Q8. A. Why is it important to maintain high efficiency of operation?  And low values of voltages regulation for power transformers?

B. A 100 KVA transformer has 400 turns on the primary and 80 turns on the secondary. The primary and secondary resistances are 0.3 and 0.01 respectively, and the corresponding leakage reactance’s are 1.1 and 0.035 respectively. The supply voltage is 2200 V. Calculate:

(i) The equivalent impedance referred to the primary circuit;

(ii) The voltage regulation and secondary terminal voltage for full load having a power factor of (i) 0.8 lagging and (ii) 0.8 leading.

Q8. Explain why regular testing of water in auxiliary boiler is desirable; for each test, i.e. is carried out; Reason for making test; Acceptable values for any particular type of boiler; Action to be taken if measured value differs from desired value.

Q8. With reference to main boiler super heater arrangements:

(a) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of contra flow with parallel flow design.

(b) How the element tube bank is supported and yet allow for expansion?

(c) How boiler carryover affects super heater effectiveness?

Q9. Explain the purpose of on-board training and how you as second engineer would conduct a training session for trainee engineers who have joined the vessel for the first time with respect to: A. Use of firefighting equipment on board; B. Maintenance of fixed firefighting equipment; C. Operation of boiler; D. Operation of oily water separator; E. Maintenance filter and trunks of the galley air extraction fan.

Q10. A. Explain what is meant by singing of propeller.

B. A propeller 6m diameter has a pitch ratio of 0.9, BAR 0.48 and, when turning at 110 rev/min, has a real slip of 25% and wake faction 10.30. If the propeller delivers a thrust of 300 KN and the propeller efficiency is 0.65 calculate - i Blade area; ii Ship speed; iii. Thrust power; iv Shaft power v. Torque

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.

Q9. A. State the common causes of scavenges fires; B. List the indications that a scavenge fire is in progress; C. State the immediate action to be taken in the event of a scavenge fire; D. List with reasons the checks and precautions necessary before an engine is put back into service following a scavenge fire.

Q9. If a main engine piston seizes in its liner at sea and it is not possible to replace the unit, explain, in detail, what provisions are made in the engine, to enable the ship to reach port?

Q8. A. Explain the action of EACH of the following metallurgical mechanism:

(i) Creep;          (ii) Brinelling;   (iii) Fretting;     (iv) Fretting corrosion;

B .State, with reasons, where EACH of the mechanisms in occur in ship propulsion System.

Q9. A. Describe measures which may be taken to improve the stability or trim of a damaged ships.

B. A ship 85m long displaces 8100 tonne when floating in seawater at draughts of 5.25m forward and 5.55m aft. TPC 9.0, GML 96m, LCF 2m aft of midships. It is decided to introduce water ballast to completely submerge the propeller and a draught aft of 5.85m is required. A ballast tank 33m aft of midships is available. Find the least amount of water required and the final draught forward.

Q7. A. Which of the following three motors has the poorest speed regulation: shunt motor, series Motor or cumulative compound motor? Explain.

B. A 440V shunt motor takes an armature current of 30A at 700 rev/min. The armature resistance is 0.7ohm. If the flux is suddenly reduced by 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.