In this post, get to know about how ship engine is prepared before sailing. For a smoother departure, it is quit necessary to follow guidelines as given by company, also called as checklist.
In this article you will get to know about the general, yet important things that you have to do, in order to prepare the engine room for departure. So let’s see them one by one. The duty deck officer will generally call the duty engineer officer for 1 hour notice before sailing.
Note: Most of the things that are discussed here are as per the UMS ships. But that does not mean that all the points mentioned below, does not apply to the non UMS ships.
Preparing Ship Engine for Sailing
Here are some of the general approaches you need to take:
1) Take sounding of the main engine lube oil sump. Make sure that the purifier for the main engine is running, so that oil is hot enough and clean enough. Now you can run the departure program for the engine. Which includes running of pumps like main engine lube oil pump, crosshead lubrication pump, HT pumps, stern tube pump, feed pumps for boiler (if stopped). Turn the engine with the
help of turning gear for 20 minutes. You can also turn on the cylinder lubrication.
4) In the mean time start from top of the engine room and check level of water in expansion tank.
5) Check the boiler for correct firing etc. Flame color and shape is important.
6) Check the oil level in the working and starting air compressors. Put if necessary.
7) Drain both control air and starting air bottles. Till when you don’t see any water coming out. Also set the preference for compressor starting.
8) Make sure that the indicator cocks for the main engine are open.
9) Open the starting air for main engine.
10) Fuel oil purifier is running.
11) Bilges are at low level.
12) Drain the settling and service tanks of fuel oil and check for any water.
13) Generators fuel racks are lubricated and sump level checked. Also set the preference for generator starting.
After doing all of these, you can go for following checks.
1) Telegraph Check
2) Emergency Telegraph
Check
3) Emergency Phone Check.
4) Steering Gear Check.
After doing these checks, you can disengage the turning gear and close the drain of the turbochargers. With the permission from the bridge, you can go for air blow. Just see if any water comes out of the indicator cocks. If not, then close the indicator cocks. If yes, then you need to identify the problem with that particular unit. Now the engine is on standby and you are ready for the sailing.
After Departure, changeover the sea chest, from high to low (If the ship is having the system of low and high). Start the fresh water generator, if you are going away from the coastal waters. The heating for the engine is needs to be stopped, as engine is generating heat itself. Fuel oil transfer pump can be put on auto now.
So this was all about the preparing the engine room for the departure. Hope you enjoyed reading this post. If you have something to add, please comment below. This was all from ‘How to Prepare Ship Engine Before Departure’.
nice thanks 🙂
Sir i’m cadet of engine . I have a question . Are we need a generator for start M E also ?
what about changing cylinder lubricator between high and low? is that for certain engines only? I think we have to also perform bow thruster tests. and also switch auxiliary blowers to auto position
That is not needed anymore with new engines.
Its interesting. I really learn a lot and get knowledge from your write up.
The above How to prepare ship engine before departure article is very useful for us. I found an oil level indicator on https://bestaircompressorstore.com/central-pneumatic-air-compressor-review/ attached to a compressor to easy indicate the oil level.
this is nice… although am still a cadet under training… but these article is part of my school work it’s has help me so far… I favour I need is link where they need cadet for placement
Its interesting. I really learn a lot and get knowledge from your write up.