MAJ EOOW Engineer Exam flashcards

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

Scavenge air pressure

Air supplied to a two-stroke cylinder must exceed cylinder pressure so exhaust cannot blow back into the air receiver. Low scavenge pressure points to turbocharger, air cooler, or scavenge port faults.

Critical speed

A shaft speed at which a natural frequency of the shafting coincides with running speed, causing high vibration. The engine must pass through quickly and never be run continuously at that speed.

Turbocharger surging

Repeated oscillation of boost pressure and airflow, often heard as a whooshing noise. Causes include compressor fouling, air cooler blockage, and sudden load changes. Clean the compressor and check cooler differential.

Propeller law

For a fixed-pitch propeller, absorbed power varies approximately with shaft speed cubed and torque with speed squared. A small rpm increase therefore demands a disproportionately large power increase.

UMS mode

Unattended machinery space operation, permitted only when alarms, automation, and fire detection are proven functional and the bridge is informed. The watchkeeper must still be available to respond.

Bell book

Record of engine movements and telegraph orders, showing time and direction. Bridge orders must be acknowledged and logged so manoeuvring history can be reconstructed after an incident.

Watch handover

Structured briefing covering machinery status, defects, tank levels, transfers in progress, permits, and expected events. It ensures the relieving watchkeeper understands the plant condition before accepting responsibility.

Oil Record Book Part I

MARPOL record of machinery space operations such as bunkering, transfers, leakage, and disposal. Entries are made without delay, signed by the officer in charge, and each page signed by the Master.

Bunkering procedure

Pre-bunker meeting, agreed transfer rate, soundings before and after, continuous tank monitoring, drip trays under the manifold, and an agreed stop signal with the barge.

Permit to work

Formal authorisation for hot work, enclosed space entry, or work on electrical and pressurized systems. It records isolation, hazard controls, and the responsible persons before work starts.

Crankshaft deflection

Measurement of shaft web deflection used to detect bedplate distortion and bearing wear. Readings outside the engine builder's limits require investigation before further running.

Oil analysis trending

Monitoring wear metals and contaminants in lube oil. Rising iron with steady viscosity suggests ring or liner wear; rising water suggests cooler leakage. Trends matter more than single readings.

Centrifugal pump priming

The casing must be filled with liquid before starting; running dry damages seals and wear rings. Start with the discharge valve closed and open it slowly to avoid surge.

Steering gear changeover

SOLAS requires two independent power units and the ability to change over within 45 seconds. Gear is tested before departure and every watch at sea.

Boiler low-water trip

Safety device that cuts off the burner when water level falls below a safe limit, preventing overheating and explosion. Daily blowdown and level checks keep it reliable.

Insulation resistance

Measured with a megohmmeter to confirm electrical insulation integrity. Class rules typically require at least 1 MΩ for machinery; lower values indicate moisture or damage.

Generator paralleling

Matching voltage, frequency, and phase before closing the breaker. kW load sharing is set by governor droop and reactive load sharing by excitation.

Automatic voltage regulator

Controls generator excitation to hold terminal voltage. Loss of excitation causes voltage collapse and import of reactive power from the bus.

Collision bulkhead

Forward watertight bulkhead that bounds the machinery space at its forward end. It limits flooding from a bow collision and must remain intact and undamaged.

Sea water inlet chest

Compartment and strainer through which cooling water enters the machinery space. Blockage by debris or marine growth causes loss of cooling and possible engine shutdown.

Free surface effect

Liquid in a partially filled tank shifts as the ship heels, reducing metacentric height and stability. Tanks should be pressed up or emptied to limit the effect.

Emergency bilge suction

Connection allowing the emergency or main sea water pump to draw directly from the bilge in flooding. Used after isolating the compartment and closing watertight boundaries.

STCW rest hours

Minimum rest of 10 hours in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period, with limited exceptions. Records must be maintained and available for inspection.

MARPOL Annex I

Regulations preventing oil pollution from ships. It prohibits oil discharge in special areas and limits machinery space bilge water discharge outside them to 15 ppm through approved equipment.

Port state control

Inspection of foreign ships in port to verify compliance with conventions. Deficiencies in machinery, pollution prevention, or certification can lead to detention until rectified.

15 ppm alarm

Device on an oil-water separator that alarms and automatically stops discharge when effluent exceeds 15 ppm. Bypassing or disabling it is a criminal offence under MARPOL.

Fixed CO2 release

Engine room fire suppression released only after confirming all personnel are evacuated and boundaries closed. Premature release can kill and is ineffective if ventilation remains open.

Enclosed space entry

Entry requiring atmosphere testing for oxygen (19.5–23.5%), hydrocarbons, and toxic gases, plus a permit, standby person, and rescue arrangements.

Just culture

A safety culture that distinguishes human error from reckless or intentional violation. It encourages near-miss reporting without blame while still holding people accountable for wilful breaches.

Closed-loop communication

The receiver repeats an order back to confirm understanding before acting. It reduces misunderstanding during manoeuvring and emergency response, especially with mixed-language crews.

Authority gradient

The perceived power distance between senior and junior personnel. Too steep a gradient suppresses reporting of concerns; too flat a one causes indecision in emergencies.

Toolbox talk

Short briefing before a complex job covering hazards, required permits, isolation points, and emergency arrangements. It ensures the team shares the same plan and controls.