Cruising Boat System Flashcards
Fuel consumption is commonly expressed in:
Miles per gallon
Nautical miles per hour
Gallons per hour
Fathoms per hour
Gallons per hour
While automobiles measure efficiency in miles per gallon, marine engines measure consumption in gallons per hour (gph). Fuel consumption increases with increasing engine rpm, and is described in the owner’s manual. Ref: BCME p 55
Modern diesel engines are very reliable. Which of the following is the most critical to ensure continued operation?
A clean air filter
Regular oil changes
Clean fuel
Balanced engine mounts
Clean fuel
Diesel engines need a steady supply of clean fuel to operate reliably. Most common problems are water and algae. Fuel additives and regular filter changes ensure the engine receives clean fuel. Ref: BCME p 54
Running at 2400rpm your engine burns 1.25 gallons per hour. How many gallons would you use in 6 hours?
4 gallons
36 gallons
5 gallons
7.5 gallons
7.5 gallons
Multiply 1.25 gph x 6 hrs to get 7.5 gallons used. Ref: BCME ch 2.
What should you check immediately after starting a diesel engine?
Oil level
Coolant temperature
Water exiting the exhaust
Water depth
Water exiting the exhaust
Water in the exhaust is crucial to the engine cooling system; if it doesn’t flow, there’s a fault in the system that must be addressed. Refs: CCME p 33, BCME p 53
While motoring, you notice that water has stopped coming out of the exhaust. What should you do?
Call your mechanic for advice
Make a “Pan-Pan” call to the Coast Guard
Stop the engine immediately
Send a crew-member over the side to clear the blockage in the raw water intake
Stop the engine immediately
Stop the engine immediately to prevent overheating, then check the raw water cooling system components, start-ing with the seacock. Ref: BCME p 53
For safety, the automatic bilge pump should be:
Always left on, even though it consumes power
Only turned on in an emergency
Turned off when the boat is unattended at the dock
Only turned on when motoring
Always left on, even though it consumes power
The automatic bilge pump is activated by a float switch which senses rising water. Leaving the pump in “Auto” mode allows the pump to activate when unattended. Ref: BCME p 40.
Select all correct statements concerning the battery selector switch:
The switch should be OFF when starting the engine
The switch should be OFF when repairing 12 volt systems
The switch should be OFF when the engine is charging the alternator
The switch should be OFF when the boat is de-commissioned
The switch should be OFF when repairing 12 volt systems
The switch should be OFF when the boat is de-commissioned
The battery selector switch allows batteries to be used, or to be isolated. The switch must be ON to start the engine or to use 12 volt systems. Do not turn the engine battery switch OFF when the engine is running, as this will dam-age the alternator. BCME p. 45
8
While sailing, you notice that the voltage of the house battery is reading 12.2 volts. What is the preferred course of action?
Be prepared to charge the batteries
Ignore it, you probably have a false reading
Be prepared to take action when it reaches 11.8 volts
Be happy that it’s fully charged
Be prepared to charge the batteries
Prudent sailors don’t allow batteries to go below 12.2 volts before recharging, as this reduces the life of the battery. At 12.2 volts, a battery is 50% discharged. Ref: BCME p44
What statement is true about the Marine Head?
It can be used in the same manner as your home toilet system
In US inland waters, a holding tank must be used
The holding tank contents may be discharged once clear of traffic lanes
Water must be left in the bowl after use
In US inland waters, a holding tank must be used
A marine head is more sensitive than a home toilet and can easily become blocked. To prevent sloshing underway, pump the bowl dry after use. Holding tanks hold sewage until appropriate pump-out facilities can be accessed, as discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited in US Inland Waters. Ref: BCME p 43
Which statement is true regarding overboard discharge of garbage in US waters?
Any garbage may be discharged outside the 25 mile limit
Any garbage may be discharged outside the 12 mile limit
Food and paper may be discharged inside the 3 mile limit
Plastic may never be discharged anywhere.
Plastic may never be discharged anywhere.
Properly dispose of trash and recyclables, and respect local and international laws regarding discharge of gar-bage, as indicated in the MARPOL placards and the waste management plan. CCME p 159,166
In which of the following circumstances might you have to bleed the fuel system?
After topping up the fuel tank
When you refill the tank after running out of fuel
After an exhilarating sail and air has entered the fuel tank
Before starting the engine
When you refill the tank after running out of fuel
Air may be introduced into the fuel system by running out of fuel or during maintenance (ie changing fuel filters. The lift pump mechanically draws fuel from the tank and allows the air to be bled off at the secondary filter. Ref: BCME p 54.
A crew member informs you that the freshwater pump is continually running . What are likely causes? Select all that apply.
Leak in the water system
Clogged filter
Empty water tank
Open faucet
Leak in the water system
Empty water tank
Open faucet
A leak in a freshwater line, an open (running) faucet, or an empty water tank will cause the water pump to contin-ually run. Ref: BCME p 41.
