Causes of marine auxiliary engines hunting problems, encountered during operation

CAT ENGINE

The engine has started but there is a fluctuation in the RPM. You think that the tachometer cable might have broken but you hear the sounds of acceleration and de-acceleration. The governor linkages are moving like crazy sometimes increasing the RPM and sometimes decreasing it. The auxiliary engines have an Isochronous governor, which means that the engine has to operate at a constant speed after starting. "Iso" means same and "chronus" means speed and thus it is supposed to be a constant speed governor, unlike the main engine governor, which you can run at various speeds. 

How to troubleshoot or service? 

Firstly,  stop the engine,  if  already on loaded condition ,  Transfer load and stop the engine and check the following reasons ;

1) The engine is cold and leads to uneven combustion. This can be caused by forgetting to put the engine on pre-heating after stopping last time. Check for the engine temperature before starting,  it should maintain 35-40C.  Check the Golden book ( manufacturer manual)

2)  The tachometer or its wire may be out of order. They may be rubbing, or the pin might have turned round and is about to give in. Try lubricating the wire, or changing the tachometer.

3) The fuel line may be having air. Yes!, now you remember you had changed the filter but had forgotten to purge the air and prime the system. This is a good time to do it.

4) Some fuel injectors getting stuck and firing intermittently. This might happen in engines which are run on Heavy fuel oil. These engines are supposed to be changed over to diesel oil for approximately half an hour before stopping. The half an hour figure is only a rough guide line, practically the purpose is to flush the pipe lines.

5) Faulty governor;the governor oil is supposed to be removed and spaces flushed with clean kerosene, before filling up with oil again. Sometimes the pilot valves have some sludge stuck and hence the hunting.

Reference,

Introduction to Marine Engineering: by D.A. Taylor

Maritime power plants and maintenance.

Reason why safety valve may open.

In a very good day,  you happily move to the generator or your marine diesel engine for starting process. Lets say you have blown through the generator by air or hand tuning and when you start it, there  came a loud sound like “tat.. tat.. tat.. .” Probably very afraid, thinking it is a crankcase explosion... Thank God it was not. Suddenly realization dawns; you saw safety valve that has lifted. It lifted because there is an uncontrolled combustion inside the cylinder which can be due to the following:

A. Defective fuel oil valves.

B. Wrong fuel pumps timings.

C. Engine is over cooled.

D. Dripping fuel injectors.

E.  Fuel linkage problems or fuel rack stuck in maximum position.

F. The opening pressure of the safety valve is low caused by a broken spring or a loosened nut.

Actually,  on the modern engines,  some other safety measures has been put in place to manage such conditions.  We will discuss that in the next article.  Subscribe with us for more.

Starting Problems On Marine Auxiliary Diesel Engine

On this article, I will like to briefly explain the various causes of Marine Auxiliary engine problems. I hope it would prove beneficial for junior engineers as well as practicing marine engineers.

THE DEFINITION OF MARINE AUXILIARY ENGINE!!

Marine auxiliary diesel engines are used for the production of electricity on board merchant or offshore ships. They are called auxiliary because the main diesel engines are used for the propulsion of the ship. The auxiliary engines are generally four stroke diesel engines. It could be air or battery starting... It doesn't matter.

Lets say you come on your normal watch and find out that the Chief Engr or second Engr has written a note instructing you to change over the generators because the 250 -  500 hour routine of the running generator is due..After you take a round, check the various parameters of the running machineries and then go to the generator platform. After checking the level of the oil and opening all the valves you blow through the engine and then close the indicator cock ( if Available) . Now you give it an air or battery kick and engine keep turning but the engine does not pick up. You try again and the same result. Now need to troubleshoot.

The Troubleshooting Marine Auxiliary Diesel Engines (Engine turning but can't start).

Below are the areas you most troubleshoot :

1. Fuel does not reach the fuel injection pump because there is air in the system.

2. The fuel oil filters are choked.

3. The fuel line valve is not open.

4. The trips have been not reset after the last stopping.

5. Fuel oil service tank is at low level. Beware the other generator is also going to stop.

6. There is water in the line.

7. The fuel valves are faulty and not giving proper atomization or are choked.

8. The fuel pump timing is wrong.

9. Leaking fuel injection pipes.

10. Seized plungers of the fuel pumps.

11. Fuel rack linkage stuck in position.

12. Seized delivery valves or broken plunger springs in injection pump.

13. The engine is cold.

If you check all the above mentioned,  and still not to start,  you need to check the electrical side (E.g the governor connection).

There are other problems that can cause not starting... We shall discuss that in the next article.  Subscribe with us and stay tuned.

Why Seafarers are always in hurry, on sign off day?

If you are a seafarer,  you will note that being at sea is the most difficult time,  in the terms of missing your Family and friends. Sometime you won't communicate with them for months.
 
The above reason makes most of the seafarers during there sign off time,  they don't even remember to collect all there documents or the required information they will need in the next sea sign on. 

Please we urge you all,  to always pay good attention during sign off and pick all required by you.

Happy weekend to all our blog readers...

⚓Anchor with us,  for more posts⚓

Study in Maritime Academy Ukraine

Educational Structures,Scientific work For Cadets

Simulators and Training Facilities

Survival craft complex

Course meets the minimum standard of competence in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats, a trainee will be competent to operate life-saving appliances and take charge of a survival craft or rescue boat during or after launch. They will also be able to operate a survival craft engine and manage survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship. Trainees will know the correct use of all locating devices, including communication and signalling apparatus and pyrotechnics, how to apply first aid to survivors and the actions to take to preserve the lives of those in their charge.

General information
Navigational Purposed Simulators
+
Survival Complex
Fire Ground
Survival craft complex
Medical First Aid Laboratory
Heavy Lift and Crane Handling Simulator
High Voltage Laboratory
Lashing and Safe Work on Deck Module
Refrigerator Container Module
Classrooms for Remote Learning (Wi-Fi)

Please contact us for invitation and other consultation regarding this. 

Maritime certificate of competence ( COC )

Please be advice that we can now carry out consultations about where to apply for your certificate of competence ( COC ) , and therefore appeal to all our subscribers and blog readers, write us via email or BBMC.


We may have better connection with schools or training centers in near feature , who will help in providing does services. So please stay tuned, and don't
forget to read other post, for better direction we have posted previously  Thanks for your understanding.

SEA EXPERIENCE AND UPGRADING

    Many seafarers who got there Certificate Of Competence( COC ) in Ukraine maybe asking same question on " how many sea experience do i need as 3rd engineer, 2nd officer, chief mate and 2nd engineer to sit for upgrading exam?"

According Ukraine maritime transport, You are suppose to have at least 18 months sea experience before sitting for upgrade exam. And also note that since you have finish you academic course for above 2 years or more, you will most pass through "Qualification course" which will take up to 10 or more days in class.

For the people who will upgrade there COC between 2015 ......2019, you most have Engine team resources (For engine room department) and Bligh team resources (For deck departments), this also take almost Ten or more months in class..

Also Note that Tanker Familiarization  course has been changed: you can either do Oil and chemical tanker or Gas tanker course, etc. Please visit IMO website for the full text of the revised Convention and Code 

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SHARE YOUR IDEA : YOU CAN COMMENT BELLOW  ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY. THANKS FOR SHARING. 

Admission and invitation into ukraine universities

This to inform our blog subscribers and reader that, the admission to university maritime university,  Ukraine medical university, and others will close soon. Please note that all schools in Ukraine start 1st of September 2015, and lectures start same day.


For the people we sent admission and Invitation letter to, please try to meet up with the time above, because no lecturer will wait for you.

If you are Interested to study or wish to have some consultation regarding studying abroad, please email us @ globemadeeasy@gmail.com 

SEAFARER'S RNAK AND DUTIES

World wild, seafarer's hold a varieties of professions, which is been Govern by ranks, and each of these ranks, play a very high roles which carries unique responsibilities and integral to the successful operation of a seafaring vessel and to the safety of life and properties onboard. On this article, i will like to explain some of the key ranks and their duties.

   When we are talking about ranking in ship, we have three department,ie Bridge/Deck , Steward's  and Engine room. Deck officers are trained to handle the bridge and deck equipments, which their rank start from third officer, second officer, chief officer, and captain.
   >>In shipping, captain is always in charge of the ship in the terms of management level. He send information to the onshore management, Also make sure that all safety measures are been observed and In charge of navigation.
  >> Chief officer/ chief mate is the second in command in the deck department who help captain in cargo handling, and other documentation.
  >> Second mate helping chief mate in preparing document during loading and discharging, and make sure that all safety measures are been observed and give report to chief mate who will pass it to the captain.
 >>  Third mate, is in charge of all safety equipment, to make sure they are in place, updated and also head watch keeping during sailing and at port. In absent of the 3rd mate, 2nd mate take those responsibilities and give report to chief mate.

   Now the engine room department: Fourth engineer, Third engineer, second engineer, and chief engineer.
  >> Chief Engineer is the head of engine room department, he make sure that all safety measures, maintenance of all machineries   according to the company PMS  are been done, also send engine room reports to the onshore management(if not through captain , can send direct).
 >> Second Engineer is in charge on maintenance of the main engine PMS, and make sure that the third engineer maintain the auxiliaries machineries , then he give reports to the chief engine at the end of the day.
 >> Third Engineer who maintain the Auxiliary engine EMS/PMS , boiler (if any), and give report to second engineer.
 >> Four engineer who is in charge of compressor, purifier, bunker and engine room lines. he report to third engine or to second engineer.

Note: the above listed are just the basic duties and the steps or orderly ranking of the seafarers. also know that in case of the next rank absence, others most perform the there duties perfectly. All of the above listed ranks are all in charge of watch keeping. but in terms of 3rd mate and 4th engineer, the top rank(eg: chief engineer and captain ) are always on there assistance during sailing.
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If you have more to add, you can comment bellow, to help educate the young seafarers.
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MARINE RATINGS AND DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS

Some African youths are willing to join maritime transportation, but duo to lake of knowledge  on where to start from makes them to sit back and look unto God. 

 

  On this article, i will like to mention some documents which can qualify you to become a seaman/seafarer just as a rating. Ratings earn between $600 - 1200 US DOLLAR per month, depend on the company. 

 

I will like to use Nigeria as an example of the bellow document listed. Your country may have some changes or those documents can be change too, but just to give you some idea on things you really need.   

 

FOR ABLE SEAMAN (AB) THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

1) FIRST IN SEAMANSHIP PRACTICALS
2) SECOND IN GENERAL SHIP KNOWLEDGE.
3) PERSONAL SAFETY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
4) PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES.
5) FIRE PREVENTION & FIRE FIGHTING.
6) ELEMENTARY FIRST – AID
7) OIL TANKER FAMILIARISATION
10) DECK WATCHKEEPING CERTIFICATE OF NAVIGATIONAL WATCH
11) PREPARATORY COURSE FOR RATING FORMING
PART OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH
12) PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT & RESCUE
BOATS OTHER THAN FAST RESCUE BOATS COMPENTANCY

13) SEAMAN RECORD BOOK AND INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT

14) NIMASA MEDICAL AND SID

WHILE OILER/MOTORMAN  NEED THE FOLLOWING:

1) FIRST IN SEAMANSHIP PRACTICALS
2) SECOND IN GENERAL SHIP KNOWLEDGE.
3) PERSONAL SAFETY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
4) PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES.
5) FIRE PREVENTION & FIRE FIGHTING.
6) ELEMENTARY FIRST – AID
7) OIL TANKER FAMILIARISATION
10) ENGINE ROOM WATCHKEEPING CERTIFICATE
11) PREPARATORY COURSE FOR RATING FORMING
PART OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH
12) PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT & RESCUE
BOATS OTHER THAN FAST RESCUE BOATS COMPENTANCY13) SEAMAN RECORD BOOK AND INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT14) NIMASA MEDICAL AND SID

Please note, the above mention documents most be done in a recognized maritime training center... 

 

FOLLOW THIS BLOG FOR FUTURE POST ON OFFICERS DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS  AND OTHERS.

Deck and engine Cadet duties and responsibilities

To become a seafarer is very easy and also can be very difficult.  On this article  i will like to list the first steps of any seafarer who wish to work as an officer onboard the ship. 
   
    Firstly you most have at least educational degree up to Bachelors(Bsc), in any maritime institution. You may ask why you need this if you already technical knowledge on electrical, marine engine navigation , management , etc. This standard has been set up by the International maritime organization(IMO) to make sure that all seafarers are been trained in a high standard ways, which help the ship owners to run and maintain there ships in a safety and lost free environment. Shipping been the world largest and most important way of transporting Cargo from one port to the other, should be protected by training a very qualify personnel's, who are capable of managing the ship offshore.

    Now, while in your educational time, you are expected to attend to a practical training (Cadet), where the already professionals will teach you practically on the field of your studies (Engine or Deck).

Duties & Responsibility of a Cadet or Trainee :

1) Following the senior offers instructions (very important)

2) You most apply safe working practices in all your duties (All you most have in mind is safety first) 

3) To execute assigned duties safely , work procedure, to best ability, and report any hazardous condition with delay to duty officer.

4)  Most diligently follow instructions and structure of onboard training , make sure to complete the task or questions listed on the training/cadet record book. Also make sure you keep up to date of your training record book, ask questions on what you dont understand to your duty officer.

5)  You most be actively seek to learn the duties of  the ranks(mostly the next rank of yours) .

Study abroad 2015

Hi every one, 2015 Ukrainian and Romanian  Admission to maritime academy and other  Universities,  will start next month, Please is you are interested and wish to contact us, do send your email to globemadeeasy@gmail.com or via skype : globemadeeasy . We wish you all the best.