Engine Room Watchkeeping

Question 1

Isolating individual alarms for the fire detection system in ER, instead of isolating the whole loop?

Answer 1

SOLAS doesn’t allow you to sail with a fire detection inactive.

Question 2

What would be on a logbook page covering a 12 hour watch?

Answer 2

• Name of watch keeper
• Date
• Vessel underway - to and from/ at anchor
• Engine parameters
• Generator parameters
• Tank level
• Condition of bilges
• Chilled water
• STP
• Air compressor
• Fuel Sep
• Water maker
• Steering gear
• Hug and xeaomos
• Speed
• Depth
• SW temp
• Air temp

Question 3

What trends would you see in that time frame?

Answer 3

• Fuel consumption
• Fuel pressure M/E and D/G
• Exhaust temps
• Water consumption
• Cooling temps
• SW Pressures

Question 4

Exhaust temps rising and coolant temps rising, whilst pressure decreases? What troubleshooting would you do, pieces of equipment to check, maintenance and repair procedure?

Answer 4

This is a sign of a coolant leak, the system needs to be walked over till a leak is found, most likely to be the plate cooler, a seal has gone and coolant is leaking out overboard with sea water.

Engine would need to be shut down, any remaining coolant removed. Plate cooler removed, cleaned and failed gasket replaced. Install back together and top up with coolant.