Shipmare

Q4: What should I do to get faster promotions?
A: This is a question that has a wide variety of factors which may differ hugely from person to person even in the same company!
Generally dry fleet (container/bulk/car carrier etc) companies promote faster than tanker companies. Tankers require much more experience to handle, so the companies…[Read more]

Q3: What if I’m onboard and something bad happened at home, how do I request to sign off?
A: Approach your direct superior (either Second Engineer or Chief Officer) to arrange for a suitable time/place to share your concerns in a professional way.
E.g. Immediate family in danger or death. An example of a situation not usually classified as “need…[Read more]

Q2: What if I’m already onboard my first ship, and feel like quitting?
A: Part A) What is the reason(s) behind wanting to quit? Depending on your reason(s), the plan would differ.
Possible reasons:
– Exhausted -> Is the work/rest hours breaking the MLC rules? If yes, this is a serious issue and must be resolved asap.
– Bored -> Is it the assigned…[Read more]

Q1: What should I do if I’m nervous about joining ship?
A: Best bet would be to reach out to currently sailing seniors, most relevant if in the same company (try asking your crewing manager). Sailing isn’t suitable for everyone, and it’s natural to be nervous about a vastly different work/lifestyle.

Q2: What if I’m already onboard my first ship,…[Read more]

1. Asset details
– Name, date of build, GT etc.

2. Schedule Details
A) Hull
i) Annual – 1 year
ii) Special – 5 years
iii) Bottom – 3 years

B) Machinery
i) Steam pipes – 5 years
ii) Screwshaft – 5 years
iii) Auxiliary boiler – 3 years
iv) Continuous Machinery Survey – 5 years

C) Ballast Water
i) Annual – 1 year
ii) Renewal – 5 years

D) MARPOL…[Read more]

SAMPLE INTERVIEW:

1. What is your approach to change in management style?

2. How would you manage insubordination?
A) You have a subordinate who is weak in e.g. technical knowledge, what would you do?

3. What are the C/E’s duties?

4. What do you check in the Engine Logbook? How do you verify the recorded parameters are correct?

5. What is…[Read more]

CHIEF ENGINEER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall in charge of delegating engine room watches at sea and is responsible to the Master for all the onboard machineries, both mechanical and electrical when at sea, on standby and in harbour.

1. Operation and maintenance of all machineries including auxiliaries, pumps, alternators, and deck machinery.
2.…[Read more]

TOPICS:

1. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ON ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY
A) Duties and responsibilities:
– Awareness and understanding
– Crew management
– Administrative management
– Regulations and policies (ISM, ISPS, MARPOL etc)
– Vessel PMS

B) GENERAL TECHNICAL ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE
– Main Engine and Aux Engine: Routine maintenance, overhauling, related…[Read more]

For Chief Engineer and Second Engineer,

This post will cover preparations for drydocking until entering.
Shipyard departments: Carpentry, Electrical, Hull, Marine, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical, Steel, Support service

1. Repair Specifications (AKA “Docking Specs” etc)
Intro: This is a collection of jobs to be done by the shipyard, and usually…[Read more]

For Chief Officer,

What are the plans that you will prepare prior to a docking survey? Contents of capacity plan.

10- Docking Plan, Plug Plan, General Arrangement, Shell Expansion, tank arrangement, Load Density Plans, Rigging Plan, capacity plan,
Fire Arrangement Plan, CO2 Plan,

3- stability booklet, repair list, certificates for…[Read more]

Q5. (a) Explain how the power developed in an engine cylinder is determined:
(i) From indicator cards.
(ii) By electronic means.
(b) State which of these is the most representative and why.

Q4. (a) Give an example of each of the four types of two-stroke engine indicator diagrams, explain how each is taken and the use to which it is put.

Q4. (b) Illustrate two defects which can show up on a compression card.

Q4. (c) How is cylinder power balance checked on a higher-speed engine?

Q3. (a) Explain why in large, slow-speed engines, power balance between cylinders is desirable.

Q3. (b) State why is never achieved in practice.

Q3. (c) Describe how power balance between cylinders of a medium-speed engine is improved.

Q3. (d) Describe how power balance in a slow-speed engine is improved.

Q2. (a) State why bottom end bolts of four-stroke engines are susceptible to failure.

Q2. (b) Sketch a bottom end bolt of suitable design.

Q2. (c) Explain how good design reduces possibility of failure.

Q2. (d) State how the possibility of failure is reduced by good maintenance.

1. (a) State the ideal cycle most appropriate to the actual operations undergone in the modern diesel engine.

(b) Give reasons why the actual cycle is made approximate to the ideal heat exchange process.

(c) State how the combustion process in the actual cycle is made approximate to the ideal heat exchange process.