Marine Engineering Systems and Control: Propulsion, Auxiliaries and Automation
Propulsion and power
A candidate must understand the main propulsion arrangements found on large vessels, the role of the governor and the safety cut-outs, and the limits on rapid manoeuvring. Know how a controllable pitch propeller, a shaft generator and a power management system interact.
Auxiliary systems
Be able to describe the fuel oil, lubricating oil, cooling water, compressed air and steam systems at a functional level. Understand the purpose of purifiers, the risk of fuel contamination, and the operation of the oily water separator and its alarm and automatic stopping arrangement.
Steering and control
Know the steering gear requirements, the changeover procedure between control positions, and the tests required before departure. Understand the meaning of a steering gear failure and the immediate response.
Automation and alarms
Understand the alarm and monitoring system, the difference between an alarm and a trip, and the danger of overriding safety devices. Know the requirements for unattended machinery spaces and the role of the engineer officer of the watch.
Traps
- Assuming a bridge control transfer is instantaneous and complete.
- Overriding a trip to keep the plant running.
- Forgetting the pre-departure steering and telegraph tests.
- Treating an alarm flood as a single fault.
Worked example
Before departure the bridge must test the steering gear through its full range, verify the changeover between bridge and local control, and confirm communication with the engine room. The test is recorded, and any defect is rectified before the vessel sails.