BD Marine Engineer Class 1 (Chief Engineer) flashcards

43 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Indicated power formula

For a four-stroke engine, IP = (P_m × L × A × n × N) / 60,000, where P_m is mean effective pressure in bar, L and A are stroke and piston area in cm, n is number of cylinders, and N is rpm.

Brake mean effective pressure

BMEP = (2π × T × n_r) / V_s, where T is brake torque, n_r is revolutions per power stroke, and V_s is swept volume. It is a measure of an engine's ability to produce work per cycle.

Specific fuel consumption

SFC is the fuel mass flow rate divided by brake power, usually expressed in g/kWh. Large two-stroke diesels typically have SFC of 160–180 g/kWh; medium-speed four-strokes 180–210 g/kWh.

Scavenge air pressure

The pressure of air supplied to the cylinders by the turbocharger. A rise in scavenge pressure without a rise in exhaust temperature may indicate a fouled air cooler or turbine nozzle ring.

Fuel injection timing

The moment fuel injection begins relative to top dead centre. Advancing injection raises peak cylinder pressure and NOx; retarding reduces NOx but raises exhaust temperature and fuel consumption.

Three-phase power formula

P = √3 × V_L × I_L × cos φ, where V_L is line voltage, I_L is line current, and cos φ is power factor. For a 440 V, 100 A load at 0.8 power factor, P ≈ 61 kW.

Insulation resistance minimum

The minimum acceptable insulation resistance for motors and generators is 1 MΩ at 500 V DC. A reading below 0.5 MΩ requires investigation before running the machine.

Generator synchronisation

The incoming generator must match the busbar in voltage, frequency, phase angle and phase sequence before the breaker is closed. It is then loaded by increasing governor speed setting.

Load sharing

kW load is shared between parallel generators by governor speed droop; reactive kVA load is shared by automatic voltage regulator droop or cross-current compensation.

Earth fault detection

On an unearthed system, a single earth fault is detected by an insulation monitoring device or earth-fault lamps. The fault must be cleared before a second fault causes a short circuit.

Planned maintenance system

A system that schedules maintenance jobs by running hours or calendar interval. The chief engineer ensures jobs are carried out and recorded, and reports overdue items to the superintendent.

Vibration monitoring

Overall velocity in mm/s RMS per ISO 10816. For Class II machines, alarm at 4.5 mm/s and trip at 7.1 mm/s; a rising trend indicates bearing wear, misalignment or imbalance.

Wear debris analysis

Spectrometric oil analysis detects dissolved wear metals in ppm; ferrography and magnetic chip detectors detect larger particles. A sudden rise in iron indicates scuffing or gear wear.

Thermography

Infrared scanning of electrical panels and bearings to detect hot spots. A temperature rise of more than 10 °C above similar components indicates a loose connection or failing bearing.

Non-destructive testing

Dye penetrant detects surface-breaking defects; magnetic particle detects surface and near-surface defects in ferromagnetic materials; radiography and ultrasonic testing detect internal defects.

Metacentric height

GM = KM − KG. Positive GM gives stable equilibrium; negative GM gives an unstable loll condition. GM is reduced by adding weight high or by free surface effect.

Free surface effect

FSC = (i × ρ) / Δ, where i is the second moment of area of the free surface about its centreline. Longitudinal subdivision reduces the free surface effect.

Angle of loll

A ship with negative GM lists to an angle where GZ = 0 and may flop to the other side. Corrective action is to lower G by filling double bottom tanks or removing deck weight.

Load line marks

The Plimsoll marks indicate the minimum freeboard assigned by class. The deck line and load line marks are surveyed; overloading beyond the assigned load line is a statutory offence.

Damage stability

SOLAS requires subdivision and damage stability calculations so that the ship survives a specified number of compartments flooded. Cross-flooding and watertight doors are part of the design.

SOLAS chapters

Chapter I surveys and certificates; II-1 construction and stability; II-2 fire protection; III life-saving appliances; IV radio; V safety of navigation; IX ISM Code; XI-1 special measures.

MARPOL annexes

Annex I oil; II noxious liquid substances; III harmful substances in packaged form; IV sewage; V garbage; VI air pollution. The ship must hold the relevant certificates and record books.

Port State Control

Inspectors may detain a ship for deficiencies that make it unseaworthy. Common detainable deficiencies are in fire safety, life-saving appliances, and ISM implementation.

ISM Code

Requires a Safety Management System, a designated person ashore, master's responsibility and authority, and procedures for reporting non-conformities and accidents. Internal audits and management reviews are required.

STCW rest hours

A minimum of 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period. Rest may be divided into no more than two periods, one of at least 6 hours.

Oil water separator

MARPOL Annex I prohibits discharge of oily bilge water except through 15 ppm equipment with alarm and automatic stopping device. The discharge must be recorded in the Oil Record Book.

MARPOL Annex VI sulphur

Sulphur limit is 0.50 % m/m outside ECAs and 0.10 % m/m inside ECAs. The ship must hold an International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate and comply with NOx Tier limits.

Garbage record book

MARPOL Annex V requires a garbage record book and garbage management plan. Discharge of plastics is prohibited; food waste may be discharged outside special areas at ≥12 nm from land.

SOPEP

Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, required for ships of 400 GT and above. It includes procedures for reporting, containment and cleanup, and a list of coastal state contacts.

Fire triangle

Fuel, oxygen and heat. Removing any one extinguishes the fire. Closed spaces can be smothered by CO2 or foam; water cools and displaces oxygen by steam.

Fire classes

A solid combustibles (water, foam); B flammable liquids (foam, CO2, dry powder); C gases (dry powder, CO2); D metals (special dry powder); electrical fires use CO2 or dry powder, never water.

CO2 fixed system

Engine room CO2 system must have a pre-discharge alarm and a delay of at least 20 seconds. The space must be sealed and ventilation stopped before discharge.

Emergency generator

Must start automatically on loss of main power and supply emergency lighting, navigation lights, radio and steering gear. It must be tested weekly and run under load monthly.

Enclosed space entry

A permit is required. Atmosphere must be tested for oxygen (20.9 %), hydrocarbons and toxic gases. Ventilation and a standby person outside are mandatory, with rescue equipment at the entrance.

Engine room watch

The watchkeeper must not leave the engine room unattended unless relieved by a qualified person. Unmanned machinery space operation requires alarms and safety devices to be operational.

Bridge/engine resource management

Effective communication, assertiveness, leadership and situational awareness. The chief engineer ensures the engine room team understands the plan and contingencies.

Watch handover

The watchkeeper must not hand over if in doubt about the new watchkeeper's competence or fitness. The relieving officer must be fully briefed on machinery state and ongoing operations.

Engineering budget

Covers spares, stores, lubricants, repairs, surveys and dry-docking. The chief engineer prepares the annual budget and monitors expenditure against it, reporting variances to the superintendent.

Requisition procedure

A requisition is raised by the chief engineer, approved by the technical superintendent, and processed by purchasing. The ship confirms receipt and inspects goods against the order.

Dry-docking specification

Prepared by the chief engineer with the superintendent, listing all defects and repairs. The chief engineer supervises the work and signs off completed items before the ship sails.

Standard Marine Communication Phrases

Standardised phrases for external communication, especially distress, urgency and safety. They avoid ambiguity and are used in bridge-to-bridge and ship-to-shore communications.

Engine room log book

Entries must be made in ink, with date, time and signature. Corrections are made by a single line and initials, not by erasure or correction fluid.

Handover report

The outgoing chief engineer provides a comprehensive report covering the state of the machinery, outstanding defects, spare gear and ongoing operations.