Question Bank For Oral Examination for Class 1 and 2 (Marine Engineer Officers) Certificate of Competency

Singapore Maritime Academy

Class 2 & 1 Engineer CoC

Oral Examination for Class 1 and 2

(Marine Engineer Officers) Certificate of Competency

1	Marine Diesel Engines/Marine Steam Plants Safe and efficient operation and maintenance of main and auxiliary and control systems Detection of machinery malfunction, location of faults and action to be taken to prevent damage Determination of shaft power, analysis and interpretation of information obtained from monitoring equipment, or by use of equipment on board Fail safe devices, safety devices fitted for the prevention of damage Temporary and permanent repairs in the event of breakdown Periodic examination of the working parts and examinations Model Questions Draw and explain VIT (B&W). Draw shafting arrangement How to make out if shaft is misaligned.  How to detect misalignment at sea.  What can be done if there is a misalignment? When there one M/E unit temp high and the T/C surges what will your action be and what will you look for? One unit temp high just as you leave port.  What can be the reason (The answer expected is that the temp will naturally be high as the ship is manoeuvring). M/E Manoeuvering diagram – draw and explain. C/S bolt failure – why common in 4 stk engines and not so in 2 stk engines? ME running (out at sea) and suddenly the underpiston space high temp alarm rings and the engine slows down.  When investigated, no problem, all parameters normal.  When speed increased, again same thing happens.  Why?  The engine is B&W, 8 months old (The answer might be that the exhaust v/v is opening late due to a faulty non return valve in the actuator). Power calculation of engines Draw the draw card and explain if the pmax low.  What various cause should be. Fuel p/q timing.  Draw the diagram and explain preparation precaution and step by step to check fuel p/q timing. Pre-planning for performance monitoring. Explain – power calculation Crankcase inspection – in details. Main engine turns on starting air, reaches air cut rpm – but does not fire Determination of TDC when there is no flywheel marks Loaded parts of different bearings? Opening up of main bearing & precautions Performance sheet of a yanmah generator – evaluate Oil mist detector – operating principle Action in case of OMD alarm. Various buttons, switches of oil mist detector How to check the generator fuel oil timing. Performance of G/E data sheet and evaluate. Explain what is VIT. Write M/E all safety devices How to test oil mist detector, overspeed trip, crank are relief door, LO low pressure trip with the circuit diagram How to prevent engine from scavenge fire For exhaust v/v spring air - what are the back up is there Main bearing survey Crasshead pin damage what you will do as C/E Shaft coupling one of the bolt is broken what action you will take Construction features of holding down bolts How many ways to find out shaft power including 4 stroke engine Factors affecting M/E performance Construction features of 1 con doctor and how it works For scaverge air temp how to find out dew point Give the main engine safety features (classify alarms, slowdowns, trips and others) How can the engine get overloaded? (causes & symptoms) What are different cards & diagrams?  Give purposes for each. How will you determine fuel pump faulty? B&W engine timing check? (lead) Give reasons for turbocharger surging and actions to be taken as soon as you come to know at sea?  Also describe trouble shooting Draw B&W & sulzer fuel pump & explain.  Explain VII and range for VIT in B&W and reasons. Write down all the planning that you will do for unit o'haul tomorrow Why is it very important to do power calculation of an engine How to ascertain that the liner calibration tool is accurate?  What are the important clearances to be measured during unit o'haul. How are crank shafts manufactured.  During crank case inspection, what are the things you will check on the crank shaft?  (Looking for Reference marks on the web & journal).
2	Boilers Operation, maintenance, periodic inspections Failures and repairs at sea Boiler water treatement Boiler tube leaking, how you will find out which tube is leaking, even through their having 1000 tube Cross section of boiler in your Ship Evaporation rate How to test boiler safety devices with circuit diagram   Model Questions ·         Boiler stopped at low low water level What would be your action. How will you check Tube Leakage What inspection to be carried out on Boiler water side and smoke side. Difference between a safety valve and a relief valve If a boiler tube is leaking, what is the conventional method of finding out the leaky tube? (The ship is out at sea and the boiler has “10000s of tubes” and the leaky one is somewhere in the middle of the tube bank). Types of boiler tube corrosion Prepare 4th Engr for boiler water circ pump survey. Draw a boiler with all mountings (from your last ship). T/G interlock and L.O low pressure interlocks, how to test? Draw safety valve. why drain is kept below the spring. how this drain water is drain from V/V body. material for V/V body seat, spindle, and others. why V/V body made by cast steel No water on board.  You are 2 weeks away from the nearest port.  Will you use sea water in the boiler?  If so what precautions will you take? BLR safety value setting. BLR chemical treatment and what chemical to be used and what value should it be. BLR casing if crack – what to do. Boiler combustion control Position of Boiler gauge glass and water level controllers and relationship between settings. Boiler corrosion. Why do water treatment. How to check the boiler tube leakage and procedure on how to plug the tube. Boiler survey. Explain preparations for Boiler Survey Safety precautions and procedure & areas Give onboard Boiler tests and reasons for the test.  Scenario:  Both P alkalinity and Chloride content dropping.  Give reason? ( tube leakage) Draw & explain all types of boiler atomisers Draw & explain boiler feed water system.  Draw & explain control system circuit for boiler feed water controller You have found lot of water in service tank.  What is your action.  Your superintendent insists that you repair the steam coil leakage.  How will you go ahead with the repair.  (Looking for draining, isolating the tank and steam coil, air testing of steam coil to confirm leakage, enclosed space entry procedure, gas free certificate, ships safety officer, hotwork permit and inspection tank by classification society surveyor after repair).  (Informing Master Bridge ). Cascade Tank - Looking for draining (Scumming) and finding the fault.  Looking for various possibilities, how can water enter to settling tank/service tank.
3	General Principles involved with operation of : a)    Pumps, pumping systems b)    Steering gears, stabilizers c)    Thrust block, shafting, stern tubes, propellers, shipside fittings d)    Cargo handling equipment & deck machinery e)    Refrigeration machines, refrigerants, insulation of holds Model Questions Draw steering gear system follow up and non follow up from bridge to steering. Explain the emergency operation mode of steering from diagram. Steer gear draw N.F.U. system and explain What is feed back. What is the function of Auxiliary Ram and Cylinder What are the steering requirement for tankers. Centrifugal pump – draw and explain (with and without diffuser ring). Draw and explain vane type steering gear.   Explain sealing arrangement of the vanes. Plate type coolers – draw gasket sealing arrangement. Draw steering gear. single phasing – Regulation. by pass DV/V - Isolating V/V why & how works Draw and explain sewage plant. Draw and explain both types of fuel pumps. Draw steering gear system including from bridge to rudder and explain principle.How to do with emergency steering.How to purge air. Refrigerant System draw diagram and explain.  How to change refrigerant. air in the system. cold room temp not coming down. Steering system in details.  Single failure concept.  Draw (50%) from transmitted upto rudder with single failure concept. Sluggish action of steering gear How to do Air Compressor Survey What are the safety devices fitted and how to test them with circuit diagram 2nd stage safety v/v lifting why Factors affecting volumetric efficiency What are the setting pressure of air relief v/v & LO pressure relief v/v. Draw a steering gear system with single failure requirements - from wheel house to steering gear platform including electrical circuit (trasmilter, receiver Explain PPt mechanism Draw a by pass v/v and how it works Draw central cooling system, advantage & disadvantage How to protect the cooler from corrosion Draw the refrigeration circuit and explain in detail the importance of each equipment, safety devices, cut outs, etc. Short cycling causes & symptoms, charging of refrigerant - precautions & procedures.  Disadvantage of gas charging? Draw hydraulic circuit for deck winch & explain. Draw strg gear & explain.  Reasons for sluggish movement of rudder Steering Gear System (H Ram - 50% Torque)  Diagram & its operation, alarm system Draw steering gear mechanisem.  (Electrohydrolic, with electrical transmitter and receiver) and explain.  Explain the function of by pass valves, shock relief valves, line relief valves and how they work.  (Looking for prevention of hydraulic locking locking by pass valves during stand still/dead circuit/ship in port).
4	Materials Properties, heat treatment & suitability. Model Questions What is forging?  Types of crankshafts, their advantages and disadvantages. Heat treatment processes.  An example for each component on board Materials for major components of diesel engine with composition (%) Materials for sea water system Material of fuel oil high pressure pipe What is forging, case hardening, Alloy How will you carry out Cast Iron welding to cracked pump base onboard?  Give also precautions? Give propeller materials for modern cargo ship including names of alloying materials and the heat treatments given.  Also reason for each alloying material Welding material - why more prone to corrosion Ship Materials. why mild steel is used. properties of HTS. Diff. between HTS & mild steel. heat treatment process. properties of C.Iron. Diff. types of steel and percentage of carbon in it. What kind of heat treatment for crankshaft? What is corrosion?  How may types of corrosion?  How corrosion takes place?  What is oxygen pilting?  Where in the engine room or what are the areas in engine room where corrosion can take place (other than deck). (Looking for definition, flow of OH ions and pitting of anode). What is heat treatment?  Where it is applied in machineries?  What is forging?  Why it is done and its advantages?  What is surface hardening?  Where it is done?  Draw different types of crank shafts?  (Fully, Semi, Forged, Welded).
5	Lubricating oils Significance and measurement of viscosity. Aspects and prevention of oil deterioration, additives. Model Questions L.O analysis from the chart.  What actions do you recommend as a chief engineer. Cylinder lub oil property Specification of crank case oil Crank-case LO contamination.  Causes & action Steps you will take to keep main Engine Lub. Oil in good condition How as 2nd Engineer you will maintain lubricating oil onl your ship?  (Looking for care taking from bunkering, purifying, onboard tests and lab reports with spectrographic analysis). You have mentioned previously that malfunction of purifier can also lead to oil contamination?  How it is possible.  Draw & explain purifier bowl.  Gravity disc, point of oil entry and exit.
6	Fuel Oils Types, specifications, storage, removal of impurities Fuel characteristics and combustion Model Questions ·         If you get a very bad fuel in your last bunker, how will you manage on board. ·         What are the Standard ISO 1287 RMH 55 limitations for various FO contents (eg. PS : Gravity, Viscosity, Flash Point, Carbon Residue, Vanadium aluminium, Water Content Sulphur Ash) and their effect on engine if exceeding values. ·         What is the effect of Low Sulphur fuel on engine. ·         What all consideration you will keep in mind before ordering Bunker ·         Effect of Pour Point on Handling Fuel. ·         How to treat fuel oil.  What is the effect about various component. ·         How is the purifier to treat the oil. ·         List down fuel oil specification and problems encountered with fuel oil. ·         Bunker specification. How to remove catalytic fines from fuel. ·         HFO service Tank Drain v/v chocked, how to repair it with necessary safety precaution ·         What's viscosity Index? ·         You have found a lot of water in fuel oil settling tank.  What is your action. ·         You have found oil in cascade tank.  What is your action. ·         What are the connections (fittings) in a settling/service tank.  Name them.
7	Electrotechnology AC/DC machines/motors: Construction, operation, maintenance and protective devices Elementary electronics Electrical measuring instruments Transformers, distribution systems, ac/dc shipboard installations Protective devices, fuses, circuit breakers, earth lamp.  Insulation and insulation testing. Model Questions Draw a switchboard distribution system and explain. Regulation for the M.S.B. according to SOLAS Explain how the steering motors are fed from the M.S.B. Steering gear power in emergency.  What are the steering gear motor protection. Emergency generator.  How it is connected to M.S.B (also the shore connection). Duration of transitional batteries Duration of Emergency generator power supply. 2 generators are running in parallel.  One starts to shift load on the other.  What can be the reason. When an ACB does not close what can the reasons be? Star and delta starting arrangement (with aux contacts) – draw and explain. Earth Fault lamp.  Draw diagram explanation Emergency battery supply emerging power supply regulation requirement. Blackout.  What’s cause.  What to do.  How is the sequence going on. Megger testing Why star delta connection.  Draw the star delta circuit diagram with protection device How many ways to find out earth fault Electrical - AVR figure & explanation Generator - excitation circuit (figure) What is a circuit breaker?  Explain how it works?  Draw arc chute arrangement and arcing contacts. A/E performance analysing instruct 3/E, how to check A/E for fault finding AVR Draw. problem with AVR/can we run A/E without AVR.
8	Naval Architecture Elementary ship construction Types of vessels, definition and terminology in ship construction Description and functions of major components and materials Stresses in ship structure Structural strength for cargo and machinery space openings Watertight integrity, closing devices, ventilation, air and sounding pipes Principles of stability, effects of free surfaces, load line Tank filling and pumping arrangements Penetration of deck and bulkheads Maintenance and protection of hull, corrosion problems and methods of protection Stresses of the ship Draw aft and arrangement (stern) of ship Difference between Balanced & Semi balanced rudders Model Questions Load Line What as a Chief Engineer to check on Deck. What is the height of vent pipe any casualty (M T Brier). What is the significance of knowing these rules (any alteration made should be according to the laid up rules). Why machinery and accommodation doors are provided with sill height What are the water tight doors and where you will find them onboard What is the difference between water tight and weather tight doors any casuality (Herald of Free Enterprise). Prepare for Load Line survey.  What do you do? Types of surveys? Mandatory certificates on board. Causes of sluggish action of rudder Stability free surface effect and how to reduce it. Rudder carrier sectional drawing and explain how it work. How to check the rudder carrier bearing wear down Draw Plimsoll mark and explain load line survey Explain difference between weather tight, gas tight and water tight doors Mid-crossection of Bulk-carrier. Functions of various strength members. types of floor, where used, distance. EIR bottom arrangement. sheers stake, stringer, stiffener distance, why, how. why so many manhole doors in the floor. E/Room exhaust funnel arrangement.  (Exh. of M/E, A/E, boiler)
9	Fire Fighting Methods of and aids for fire prevention, detection and extinction Principles of operation, application and maintenance of fire extinguishers, respirators, safety lamps Fixed fire detection and extinguishing arrangements for accommodation, cargo and machinery spaces Precautions against fire or explosion, explosive mixtures Dangers of oil leakage Sources of ignition, safety devices Draw CO2 flooding system & explain Why master v/v open first How you will instruct your 4/E before entering into CO2 room ·         What are the fire detectors.  Draw all of them ·         Which one is the most sensitive one ·         Your junior reports to you that exhaust temperature of one unit of Main Engine is high.  What will be your action.  (Looking for comparing Local & Remote pyrometer and a possible cause of scavenge fire). Model Questions ·         CO2  Flooding system.  Draw a system with a pneumatic operated cylinder not the one with wire and pulley. ·         Draw and explain the High Expansion System ·         Comparison between CO2 and Foam System advantages and disadvantage of each. ·         Draw a smoke type fire detector with circuit. ·         Draw all types of fire detectors. ·         What is a fire tetrahedron? ·         What is a fire door? ·         Smoke detector (ionisation, light scattering). ·         What inspection and maintenance you do on the fixed CO2 system. ·         Give one fixed fire fighting equipment arrangement.  Draw & Describe.  Give technicalities of foam for this purpose. ·         Disadvantages.  Paint locker fire fighting arrangement ·         Draw 9L CO2 extinguisher ·         CO2 flooding system/requirement/regulation (figure) ·         (CO2 cabinet door circuit) ·         Draw & explain all types of fire extinguishers ·         What is fire tetrahedron?  What is its importance?  Draw the tetrahedron and explain sides.
10	Safe working practices Overhauling machinery Safety in workshop Handling of repairs of electrical machines and systems Protective equipment, lifting tackle Entering tanks and void spaces Vessels in dock, overhauls at shipyards Taking bunkers Explain a thorough scavenge space inspection? Model Questions Entry enclosed space procedures Which part of the engine room cannot do welding Engine room overhead crane testing procedure(load test) Tanker hazardous area FWD deck store, one of the bracket is broken in oil tanker, with necessary safety precaution how to repair it Draw IG system, all safety devices testing PV breaker, Deck Seal Draw Aftpeak tank enclosed space entry to be made.  Describe procedure & planning (if entry from steering gear room where lot of activity). Give planning and safe working practice procedure for Main Switch Board Testing Tanker dangerous zones - draw and the kind of apparatus in each zones & why CO2 room entry procedure CO2 room maintenance Hot work permit. can we do hot work in the E/R. You are a 2nd Engineer and you have a level guage on bunker tank of your ship.  It is getting spoiled.  Will you wait till it gets completely spoiled or you will try to do something with it?
11	Automation and instrumentation Fundamentals of automation, instrumentation and control systems Periodically unattended machinery, techniques and work practices Bridge control Model Questions Draw ACC for boiler. Explain how level measurement is done on board? Types of protection for heat exchangers What is back flushing of a cooler and how is it done? Explain the construction of an explosion proof equipment. Draw a control circuit of viscotherm Draw M/E Jacket cooling water controller including line diagram with flapper, nozzle mechanism How to avoid Jkt water controller hunting during engine manoeuvring and reasons Control - PID controller, Fig. and operation How may types of level gauges.  Draw & explain any one of them? What are the UMS ship requirements?  Have you worked on UMS ships before?
12	Emergency procedure and equipment Grounding Damaged propeller Failure of steering gear Abandon ship Model Questions   ·         Scenario Company ordered master to reach port before sunset , otherwise they will have to wait at anchorage for 3 to 4 days.  So master alter his courage and while running at full RPM, the ship ran aground.  Describe being Chief Engineer, what immediate action to be taken.  Briefly about Survey Port State Control. Closing arrangement of E/R dampers and quick closing valves.  Explain the working. Grounding.  What to do. 2/E duty when ship grounded. what is the position of the sounding cap. why main brg can be damage when grounded. Rescue from enclosed space If there is an emergency or critical equipment failure on your joining vessel, how will you handle it? If new 4/E joins with you how will you instruct about fire fighting (scenario: puri room fire)
13	Pollution Regulations to be observed to prevent pollution of marine environment.  Port regulations, International Regulations – MARPOL 73/78 Methods and aids to prevent pollution: Oil filtering equipment, oil content monitor, sewerage treatment plant, incinerator. Model Questions MARPOL annex I Reg.9 – Discharge of oil. Discharge of Oil Oil Record Book ODM  Regulation Regulations for Tankers to discharge oily mixture What is marpol 73/78? Annexe 1 – what do you know? Pollution prevention draw diagram O.W.S and explain. What is the duty for 2/E about bunkering .What to do if the oil spill.What content of sopep. Oily water separator drawing and explain operation and what is siphon tube purpose. how oil probe working. oil record book, why we should we make entry when any bilge operation Explain Marpol annex I and requirement pumping bilges in special area Annex I - Reg, 4, 9, 10, 16, 20, 26 explain What are the items recorded in oil record book Draw oily water separator & explain How the 15 ppm alarm works Give all annexes of Marpol 73/78.  Describe & list oil discharge regulations for tanker cargo & engine room oily water mixture. Give areas & reason for designating an area as special. Draw IG system and Describe. Give safety features - IG systems alarms, trips, interlocks Scenario:  Service tank drain v/v choked actions? Oily-water separator (diagram). Operation of oil level sensing probe (Electrical Circuit). Operational procedure. Annex 1 in detail (oil pollution) Annex 5 in detail (garbage) Draw and explain oily water separator.  What is the starting procedure?  (Looking for Noting down position from bridge and recording in ORB).  What do you understand by MARPOL?  What are the Annexes?  Why you take positions when starting oily water separator.  Why it is purged and filled with seawater before starting. oil record book, why we should we make entry when any bulge operation
14	Duties Administrative duties: writing of reports, preparing log abstracts, maintaining store inventories, requisition of consumable stores and spare parts Organisation and training of staff for a)    normal duties b)    emergency duties c)    use of safety equipment Model Questions About ISM 2nd Engineer Duty. How to make junior work safely and how to train newly joined cadet. You are newly promoted to rank of 2/E and visit office, what are the things you will find out from office and why? After joining the vessel, what are the things you will do, priority wise? And why? In case Second Engineer and other engineers are too busy, how will you find out the Emergency and safety equipment locations and emergency escape routes?  (From LSA, FFA plans posted near ships office) How will you know about condition of LSA, FFA equipments? (Record Books) and other emergency equipments Give the definition of ISM, dates of incorporation of 2 phases, tonnages applicable to diff ships. Mention different clauses of ISM and SMS and explain Explain "Training of Staff" (in accordance with regulations) Give certificates & validity (carried onboard) Engine room safety equipment survey preparations. How will you train your Junior Staff?
15	Casualties Knowledge of casualties (at sea or in port), lessons learnt, methods of prevention Understanding and compliance with recommendations laid out in Shipping circulars, Merchant Shipping Notices Model Questions Discuss a few casualties which you have read about, the lessons learnt and methods of prevention. Differences between M notices and Shipping circulars What are the shipping circulars ?.  Give Example