HK Engine Operator Grade 2 cheat sheet

Watch handover requires face-to-face briefing covering machinery status, running hours, fuel/water levels, active alarms, ongoing maintenance, and standing orders; the relieving officer signs the logbook to accept responsibility.

A steady running diesel engine shows exhaust temperature spread across cylinders within about 30-50 C; a widening spread points to a faulty injector, valve, or fuel rack setting on that unit.

The engine room bell book records every manoeuvring order with time: Dead Slow Ahead, Slow Ahead, Half Ahead, Full Ahead, and the corresponding astern orders; each order is repeated back before execution.

Bridge order response sequence: acknowledge, execute, confirm. During manoeuvring, keep starting air pressure above the minimum (typically 2.0-2.5 MPa) and monitor air compressor cut-in pressure.

Hourly watch rounds typically log: main engine rpm, fuel rack index, lube oil pressure and temperature, cooling water temperatures, exhaust gas temperatures, turbocharger rpm, scavenge air pressure, and bilge levels.

Standby engine preparation before arrival: pre-lube the engine, warm the fuel to correct viscosity, test the telegraph and alarms, drain air bottles of condensate, and confirm steering gear and generator readiness.

Cylinder liner wear rate guideline is roughly 0.05-0.1 mm per 1000 running hours; a sudden increase signals abrasion, poor combustion, or inadequate lubrication and warrants investigation.

Do not leave the engine room unattended while the main engine is manoeuvring or when the unattended machinery space alarm system is isolated; the watchkeeper must remain in the space.

Four-stroke cycle: intake, compression, power, exhaust, one power stroke per two crankshaft revolutions; two-stroke cycle: scavenge and compression combined, one power stroke per revolution.

Fuel oil viscosity must be reduced by heating to the injector-pump specification (often 10-15 cSt at injection); excessive viscosity causes poor atomisation, while overheating causes pump wear.

Centrifugal purifier separates water and solids by density difference; the gravity disc bore size is chosen to match fuel density, and a too-large bore lets water pass into the clean oil outlet.

Lube oil analysis monitors viscosity, TBN (total base number), water content, insolubles, and wear metals (iron, copper, chromium); TBN depletion indicates acid neutralising capacity is being consumed.

Freshwater cooling circuit is normally split into a high-temperature jacket water circuit and a low-temperature circuit serving charge air and lube oil coolers, with a central cooler rejecting heat to seawater.

Starting air system: air receivers store compressed air at roughly 2.5-3.0 MPa; the air distributor times pilot air to each cylinder head starting valve in the correct firing order.

Turbocharger surging (repeated whooshing and rpm fluctuation) is commonly caused by fouled turbine or compressor blades, a blocked charge air cooler, or rapid load change.

Bilge system uses a bilge pump drawing through a mud box; an oily water separator treats bilge water before discharge, and the 15 ppm alarm must stop discharge automatically if the limit is exceeded.

MARPOL Annex I prohibits any discharge of oil or oily mixture within special areas; outside special areas, treated bilge discharge is permitted only below 15 ppm with the oil filtering equipment operating.

Engine room fire response: raise the alarm, stop fuel and ventilation, shut quick-closing valves on fuel tanks, then use fixed CO2 or foam; never open the space until it has cooled and re-entry is authorised.

Enclosed space entry requires a permit, atmosphere testing for oxygen (about 20.9 percent), hydrocarbons, and toxic gases, plus a standby person at the entrance and rescue equipment ready.

Fuel oil quick-closing valves are remotely operated from outside the engine room and must be tested periodically; they cut fuel supply to the engine in an emergency.

Emergency generator must start automatically on main power failure and accept load within the class-specified time (commonly 45 seconds); it is tested weekly under load.

Garbage management under MARPOL Annex V: plastics never overboard; food waste discharge distances vary by category and special area, and every discharge is recorded in the Garbage Record Book.

Sewage discharge under MARPOL Annex IV is permitted only with an approved treatment plant, or at more than 12 nautical miles from land when comminuted and disinfected.

Personal protective equipment in the engine room includes hearing protection, safety helmet, safety shoes, and eye protection; hot work additionally requires a fire watch and a permit.

Hong Kong local vessels operate under the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance and the associated regulations; engine operators must hold the certificate appropriate to the vessel type and power.

Local vessel engine room logbooks and oil record books must be retained and made available for inspection by the Marine Department on request.

A vessel must not discharge oil, sewage, or garbage into Hong Kong waters; port reception facilities must be used and receipts retained as evidence of delivery.

Typhoon procedures: when the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted, secure moorings and prepare machinery; at No. 8 and above, vessels move to designated typhoon shelters and maintain a listening watch.

Low visibility and typhoon signals are broadcast by the Hong Kong Observatory; vessels must comply with harbour directions issued by the Marine Department Vessel Traffic Centre.

Engine room crew must be familiar with the muster list, emergency stations, and the location of firefighting and lifesaving appliances before the vessel sails.

Any machinery defect affecting the vessel's seaworthiness or manoeuvrability must be reported to the Marine Department; the vessel may be required to remain in port until rectified.

Speed limits in Hong Kong harbour waters and typhoon shelters are posted; excessive wash near moored craft and shore structures is an offence under harbour regulations.