HK Engine Operator Grade 2 key terms

The routine of monitoring and tending propulsion machinery, auxiliaries and alarms during an assigned period, following standing orders and recording readings so the plant stays within safe limits throughout the watch.

Written instructions from the Chief Engineer or duty engineer telling watchkeepers what to do in normal and abnormal situations, including when to call for assistance or reduce speed.

The official record of watch readings, machinery movements, fuel and water transfers, defects and repairs, kept in ink without erasure so the vessel's operational history can be reconstructed.

A chronological record of engine and helm orders received from the bridge, with times, so that manoeuvring and speed changes can be verified against the engine room logbook.

Unattended machinery space operation, where the plant runs under automatic monitoring and alarms with no engineer on watch, requiring call-out systems and checks at set intervals.

A timer in the engine room that must be reset by the watchkeeper at intervals; if not reset, it raises an alarm in the accommodation or on the bridge to summon help.

The formal transfer of the watch from one engineer to the next, covering plant condition, defects, running hours, ongoing work and any special instructions, so nothing is missed.

The slowest manoeuvring speed at which the engine can be run continuously ahead, used in confined water and during berthing, and recorded in the bell book.

The control station in the engine room or at the local engine controls from which engine speed and direction are set during berthing and other close-quarters operations.

An engine speed at which torsional or structural vibration becomes excessive; the engine must be run through this band quickly rather than held at it.

The propulsion engine or engines that drive the propeller shaft and provide the vessel's thrust, as distinct from auxiliary engines used for electrical generation.

A smaller engine driving a generator or other service machinery, supplying electrical power, compressed air or pumping capacity rather than propulsion.

The arrangement that divides electrical load between two or more running generators so each carries a fair share and neither is overloaded or reverse-powered.

Total loss of electrical power on board, stopping pumps, steering gear and alarms, usually caused by generator trip, overload or fuel problem and requiring immediate emergency response.

A separately located generator that starts automatically on loss of main power to supply essential services such as emergency lighting, steering gear and alarms.

The bearing housing through which the propeller shaft passes at the hull exit, lubricated by oil or water and sealed to prevent seawater ingress or lubricant loss.

The hull valve and strainer through which seawater is drawn for cooling, firefighting or ballast, requiring correct valve line-up and regular strainer cleaning.

The piping, pumps and valves used to collect and remove water from the lowest spaces of the hull, kept separate from cargo and fuel systems to avoid contamination.

Equipment that treats machinery-space bilge water to reduce its oil content below the permitted limit before discharge, with a monitoring device that stops discharge if the limit is exceeded.

A statutory register in which all oil transfers, discharges, tank soundings and machinery-space bilge operations are recorded for inspection by port authorities.

The international regulations controlling pollution by oil, covering discharge limits, equipment requirements and record keeping for machinery spaces and cargo areas.

A pump, independently powered and located away from the main machinery space, that supplies the fire main if the main fire pumps are lost.

The water pressure maintained in the fire main so that hydrants deliver an effective jet; it must be checked regularly and after any pump changeover.

A permanently installed arrangement such as carbon dioxide, foam or water mist that discharges into a protected space to extinguish fire without crew entering it.

Entry into a tank, void or other poorly ventilated space, permitted only after atmosphere testing, ventilation and with a standby person and rescue equipment at the entrance.

A document confirming that a space has been tested and found safe in respect of oxygen, flammable gas and toxic gas before entry, hot work or tank work begins.

A written authorisation for welding, cutting or other spark-producing work, issued only after area preparation, gas testing and fire watch arrangements are in place.

Inspection of foreign vessels in port by the coastal authority to verify that certificates, equipment and crew standards meet international conventions, with deficiencies leading to detention.

A statutory record of garbage retained, processed, landed or discharged, showing quantities, categories and positions, open to inspection by port authorities.

The register of ships under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flag, administered by the Marine Department, which issues registration and related certificates.

The Hong Kong government department responsible for port administration, vessel safety, licensing of local craft and enforcement of local shipping legislation.

A certificate issued for a craft operating in Hong Kong waters, specifying the vessel's permitted area of operation, passenger or cargo limits and manning requirements.

A qualification issued to a seafarer who has met the examination, sea service and medical requirements for a particular grade and type of vessel.

A local certificate grade allowing the holder to serve as engine operator on specified vessels within stated power and area limits under Hong Kong requirements.

The maximum speed permitted in specified harbour waters, set to control wash and collision risk; operators must know the limits for the areas they routinely transit.

The planned sequence for moving fuel between tanks, including sounding before and after, valve line-up checks and continuous attendance to prevent overflow and pollution.

A valve on a fuel tank that can be shut remotely in an emergency to cut off fuel supply to the engine and limit fire risk.

The arrangement of pumps, heat exchangers and piping that removes heat from the engine, using fresh water in a closed circuit and seawater in the outer circuit.

Laboratory testing of engine oil for wear metals, water, viscosity and contamination, used to detect developing machinery faults before they become failures.