Basic Marine Engineering interview questions

150 questions with answers (MAR-001 to MAR-150). Try each one aloud before reading the answer.

Ship Construction & Naval Architecture

MAR-001 · What are the main parts of a ship?

The bow (front), stern (rear), hull (watertight body), keel (bottom backbone), decks, bulkheads (internal walls), rudder and propeller. The superstructure and accommodation sit above the main deck.

MAR-002 · What is the keel?

The keel is the main longitudinal structural member running along the centreline of the bottom. It acts as the backbone of the hull, and frames and floors are attached to it.

MAR-003 · What is a bulkhead?

A vertical partition dividing the hull into compartments. Watertight bulkheads limit flooding, transverse bulkheads add transverse strength, and the collision bulkhead sits just aft of the bow.

MAR-004 · What is the double bottom?

A second watertight inner bottom above the outer shell plating. It protects against flooding after grounding, adds strength, and the space is used for ballast, fuel or fresh water tanks.

MAR-005 · What is the difference between longitudinal and transverse framing?

Transverse framing uses closely spaced frames around the hull girth and suits small ships. Longitudinal framing uses many fore-and-aft stiffeners supported by widely spaced web frames and gives better longitudinal strength for long ships such as tankers.

MAR-006 · What is length between perpendiculars (LBP)?

The distance between the forward perpendicular (where the summer load waterline meets the stem) and the aft perpendicular (usually the rudder stock centreline). It is the standard length used in hydrostatic calculations.

MAR-007 · What is the difference between gross tonnage and deadweight?

Gross tonnage is a dimensionless measure of a ship's total enclosed internal volume. Deadweight is the mass (in tonnes) a ship can carry, including cargo, fuel, water, stores and crew, up to its summer load line.

MAR-008 · What is lightship weight?

The weight of the ship complete and ready for service but with no cargo, fuel, ballast, fresh water, stores or crew. Displacement equals lightship plus deadweight.

MAR-009 · What is freeboard?

The vertical distance from the waterline to the upper edge of the freeboard deck at the side, measured amidships. It provides reserve buoyancy and keeps the deck clear of water.

MAR-010 · What is the Plimsoll line?

The load line mark on the ship's side showing the maximum permitted draft for different seasons and water densities (TF, F, T, S, W, WNA). It guarantees minimum freeboard and reserve buoyancy.

MAR-011 · What is camber and sheer?

Camber is the transverse upward curvature of the deck so water drains to the sides. Sheer is the longitudinal upward curve of the deck towards bow and stern, which adds reserve buoyancy at the ends.

MAR-012 · What is a classification society?

An independent body (such as DNV, ABS, LR, BV, ClassNK, IRS) that sets technical rules for design, construction and maintenance of ships and surveys them to confirm compliance.

MAR-013 · What is the block coefficient (Cb)?

The ratio of underwater volume to the volume of a box with the same length, beam and draft: Cb = ∇/(L·B·T). Full tankers have Cb ≈ 0.8–0.85; fast container ships about 0.6.

Ship Stability

MAR-014 · What is Archimedes' principle?

A body fully or partly immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.

MAR-015 · What is displacement?

The weight (mass) of water displaced by the ship, which equals the total weight of the ship when floating freely. Δ = ρ·∇, where ∇ is the underwater volume.

MAR-016 · What is draft?

The vertical distance from the waterline to the bottom of the keel. It is read on draft marks at the bow, stern and midships.

MAR-017 · What is the centre of buoyancy (B)?

The centroid of the underwater volume, through which the buoyant force acts. It moves as the ship heels or changes draft.

MAR-018 · What is the centre of gravity (G)?

The point through which the total weight of the ship acts. It moves when weights are loaded, discharged or shifted.

MAR-019 · What is the metacentre (M)?

For small angles of heel, the point where the vertical line through the new centre of buoyancy intersects the ship's centreline. Its height above the keel is KM = KB + BM.

MAR-020 · What is KG?

The vertical height of the centre of gravity above the keel. A lower KG gives a larger GM and more initial stability.

MAR-021 · What is the righting lever GZ?

The horizontal distance between the centre of gravity and the line of action of buoyancy when the ship heels. The righting moment equals Δ × GZ.

MAR-022 · What is list and heel?

List is a steady inclination caused by off-centre weight inside the ship. Heel is a temporary inclination caused by external forces such as wind, waves or turning.

MAR-023 · What is trim?

The difference between the forward and aft drafts. A ship is trimmed by the stern when the aft draft is greater, and by the head when the forward draft is greater.

MAR-024 · What is reserve buoyancy?

The watertight volume above the waterline. It allows the ship to rise over waves and stay afloat after some flooding.

MAR-025 · What is TPC?

Tonnes per centimetre immersion: the mass needed to change mean draft by 1 cm. TPC = Aw × ρ / 100, where Aw is the waterplane area in m² and ρ in t/m³.

MAR-026 · What are stable, neutral and unstable equilibrium for a ship?

Stable when M is above G (positive GM), so the ship returns upright. Neutral when M and G coincide. Unstable when G is above M (negative GM), so the ship lolls or capsizes.

Resistance & Propulsion

MAR-027 · What is ship resistance?

The total force opposing the ship's motion through water and air. It is mainly frictional resistance plus residuary (wave-making and eddy) resistance, with a small air resistance component.

MAR-028 · What is a fixed pitch propeller (FPP)?

A propeller with blades cast integrally with the boss so the pitch cannot change. Thrust and direction are controlled by engine speed and reversing the engine.

MAR-029 · What is a controllable pitch propeller (CPP)?

A propeller whose blades can be rotated hydraulically to change pitch. It allows thrust and astern control at constant shaft speed, which suits shaft generators.

MAR-030 · What is propeller pitch?

The axial distance the propeller would advance in one revolution if moving through a solid medium without slip.

MAR-031 · What is propeller slip?

The difference between the theoretical advance (pitch × revolutions) and the actual advance, expressed as a percentage of the theoretical advance.

MAR-032 · What is a knot?

One nautical mile per hour. One nautical mile is 1852 m, so 1 knot ≈ 0.514 m/s.

MAR-033 · What is the function of the rudder?

The rudder deflects water flow to create a side force at the stern, turning the ship. It works best in the propeller slipstream.

MAR-034 · What is the stern tube?

The tube through the hull at the stern through which the propeller shaft passes. It contains bearings and seals that keep seawater out and lubricant in.

MAR-035 · What is the thrust block?

A bearing that transmits propeller thrust from the shaft to the hull structure. In large two-stroke engines it is usually built into the engine bedplate.

MAR-036 · What is a bow thruster?

A transverse tunnel propeller in the bow that pushes the bow sideways for low-speed manoeuvring and berthing without tugs.

MAR-037 · What is the intermediate shaft?

The shaft section between the engine (or gearbox) output flange and the propeller shaft, supported by intermediate (plummer) bearings.

MAR-038 · What is effective power (PE)?

The power needed to tow the hull at a given speed: PE = RT × V, where RT is total resistance and V is ship speed.

MAR-039 · What is an azimuth thruster?

A propulsion unit whose propeller can rotate 360° about a vertical axis, so it provides both thrust and steering without a rudder.

Marine Diesel Engines

MAR-040 · What is the difference between a two-stroke and a four-stroke engine?

A two-stroke engine completes a power cycle in one crankshaft revolution; a four-stroke needs two revolutions. Large slow-speed main engines are two-stroke; generators and medium-speed engines are usually four-stroke.

MAR-041 · What are slow, medium and high-speed engines?

Roughly, slow-speed engines run below about 300 rpm, medium-speed between about 300 and 1000 rpm, and high-speed above about 1000 rpm.

MAR-042 · What is a crosshead engine?

An engine where the piston rod connects to a crosshead sliding in guides, and the connecting rod links the crosshead to the crank. This removes side thrust from the piston and separates the cylinder from the crankcase.

MAR-043 · What is a trunk piston engine?

An engine where the connecting rod is attached directly to the piston by a gudgeon pin. The piston skirt takes the side thrust. Most four-stroke engines use this design.

MAR-044 · What is scavenging?

Clearing exhaust gas from the cylinder and filling it with fresh air. Large two-stroke engines use uniflow scavenging: air enters through ports at the liner bottom and exits through an exhaust valve in the cover.

MAR-045 · What is a turbocharger?

An exhaust-gas-driven turbine coupled to a compressor that supplies pressurised air to the engine. It increases air mass in the cylinder so more fuel can burn, raising power and efficiency.

MAR-046 · What is the purpose of the air cooler (intercooler)?

It cools the compressed charge air after the turbocharger. Cooler air is denser, so the engine gets more air mass per stroke and lower thermal loads.

MAR-047 · What is a fuel injector?

A nozzle valve that atomises high-pressure fuel and sprays it into the combustion chamber for good mixing and complete combustion.

MAR-048 · What is compression ratio?

The ratio of total cylinder volume (swept + clearance) to clearance volume. Diesel engines use high ratios (around 12–20) to heat air enough for self-ignition.

MAR-049 · What is the firing order?

The sequence in which cylinders fire. It is chosen to balance forces and moments and to spread crankshaft and bearing loads.

MAR-050 · What is the function of piston rings?

Compression rings seal combustion gas and transfer heat to the liner. Oil scraper rings (in trunk engines) control oil on the liner wall.

MAR-051 · What is a cylinder liner?

A replaceable sleeve forming the cylinder bore. It takes wear from the piston rings and is cooled by jacket water on the outside.

MAR-052 · What is the governor?

A device that controls engine speed by adjusting the fuel quantity. Electronic governors are standard on modern engines.

Marine Boilers & Steam Systems

MAR-053 · What is the difference between a fire tube and a water tube boiler?

In a fire tube boiler, hot gases flow through tubes surrounded by water. In a water tube boiler, water flows through tubes heated externally by gas. Water tube boilers handle higher pressures and raise steam faster.

MAR-054 · What is an exhaust gas boiler (economiser)?

A heat exchanger in the main engine exhaust uptake that uses waste heat to make steam or heat water at sea, saving fuel.

MAR-055 · What is a composite boiler?

A boiler that can be fired by oil and also heated by main engine exhaust gas, in one unit.

MAR-056 · What are the main boiler mountings?

Safety valves, main steam stop valve, feed check valves, water level gauge glasses, pressure gauge, blowdown valves, air vent, and salinometer or sampling valve.

MAR-057 · What is the purpose of the boiler safety valve?

It releases steam automatically when pressure exceeds the set value, protecting the boiler from overpressure. Boilers are usually fitted with at least two.

MAR-058 · What is a gauge glass?

A transparent tube or plate showing the water level in the boiler drum. Boilers have at least two independent level indicators.

MAR-059 · What is boiler blowdown?

Draining some boiler water to remove sludge and dissolved solids. Bottom blowdown removes sludge; surface (scum) blowdown removes oil and foam.

MAR-060 · What is a steam trap?

A valve that discharges condensate and non-condensable gas from steam lines and heaters while keeping steam in.

MAR-061 · What is a hotwell (cascade tank)?

The tank receiving condensate returns. It allows observation and filtering for oil contamination and supplies the feed pump.

MAR-062 · What is saturated and superheated steam?

Saturated steam is in equilibrium with water at its boiling temperature for that pressure. Superheated steam has been heated above saturation temperature and carries no moisture.

MAR-063 · Why is boiler water treated?

To prevent scale, corrosion, foaming and caustic embrittlement. Treatment controls hardness, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen and chlorides.

MAR-064 · What is the boiler burner's flame failure device?

A photocell or UV flame scanner that shuts off fuel if the flame is lost, preventing fuel build-up and a furnace explosion.

MAR-065 · What is purging a boiler furnace?

Blowing air through the furnace before ignition to remove combustible vapours. This prevents an explosion when the burner lights.

Auxiliary Machinery (Pumps, Purifiers, Compressors, FWG)

MAR-066 · What is the difference between a centrifugal and a positive displacement pump?

A centrifugal pump adds energy through an impeller and its flow varies with head. A positive displacement pump (gear, screw, piston) moves a fixed volume per stroke or revolution, regardless of head.

MAR-067 · Why must a centrifugal pump be primed?

It cannot create enough suction when filled with air, so the casing and suction line must be filled with liquid first. Bilge and ballast pumps often have self-priming units.

MAR-068 · What is a purifier?

A centrifugal separator that removes water and solid particles from fuel or lube oil. It uses a gravity disc to set the oil–water interface.

MAR-069 · What is the difference between a purifier and a clarifier?

A purifier separates two liquids (oil and water) plus solids and has a water outlet. A clarifier removes only solids and a small amount of water, with no continuous water outlet.

MAR-070 · What is a gravity disc?

A ring in the purifier bowl whose inner diameter sets the oil–water interface position. It is chosen according to fuel density.

MAR-071 · What is a fresh water generator?

A unit that produces fresh water from seawater, usually by vacuum evaporation using main engine jacket cooling water heat. Reverse osmosis units are also used.

MAR-072 · What is the main air compressor used for?

It supplies compressed air (typically about 30 bar) to the air receivers for starting the main and auxiliary engines.

MAR-073 · Why are air compressors multistage?

Compressing in stages with intercooling reduces work, keeps discharge temperature low and improves volumetric efficiency.

MAR-074 · What is an oily water separator (OWS)?

Equipment that separates oil from bilge water so the discharged water has an oil content of no more than 15 ppm, monitored by an oil content meter.

MAR-075 · What is a heat exchanger used for on board?

To transfer heat between fluids, such as cooling jacket water or lube oil with seawater or central fresh water. Plate and shell-and-tube types are common.

MAR-076 · What is a central cooling system?

A system where seawater cools only a central fresh water cooler. Fresh water then cools all the machinery, reducing seawater corrosion in pipes and coolers.

MAR-077 · What is a steering gear?

The machinery that moves the rudder. Electro-hydraulic ram or rotary vane types are common.

MAR-078 · What is a sewage treatment plant?

A unit that treats black and grey water, usually by aerobic biological digestion, settling and disinfection, before discharge.

Marine Electrical Systems

MAR-079 · What is the typical ship's electrical supply?

Usually 440 V (or 690 V), 60 Hz, three-phase for power, with 220 V single-phase for lighting via transformers. Large ships may use high voltage at 6.6 kV or 11 kV.

MAR-080 · What is the main switchboard?

The central panel where generator output is collected on busbars and distributed to consumers. It holds breakers, synchronising equipment, meters and protective relays.

MAR-081 · What is an emergency generator?

A diesel generator located outside the machinery space, above the bulkhead deck, that supplies essential services through the emergency switchboard when main power fails.

MAR-082 · Why is the ship's system usually insulated neutral?

With an insulated neutral, a single earth fault does not trip the supply, so essential services such as steering gear keep running while the fault is traced.

MAR-083 · What is an earth fault indicator?

Lamps or an insulation monitor on the switchboard that show if any phase has lost insulation to the hull.

MAR-084 · What is synchronising?

Matching an incoming generator's voltage, frequency and phase angle with the live busbar before closing its breaker, so the machines can share load in parallel.

MAR-085 · What is a shore power connection?

A connection that supplies the ship from the shore grid in port, allowing generators to be stopped. Phase sequence, voltage and frequency must be checked first.

MAR-086 · What is a shaft generator?

A generator driven by the main engine shaft or gearbox that produces electricity at sea more cheaply than auxiliary diesel generators.

MAR-087 · What is a megger used for?

An insulation resistance tester that applies a DC voltage (often 500 V) to measure insulation resistance of motors, cables and windings in megohms.

MAR-088 · What is the purpose of a circuit breaker?

To switch circuits and automatically break overload and short-circuit currents, protecting equipment and cables.

MAR-089 · What are the batteries on board used for?

Emergency lighting, transitional power, radio and GMDSS equipment, alarms, and starting emergency generators or lifeboat engines.

MAR-090 · What is a motor starter?

A device that starts and stops a motor and protects it from overload and undervoltage. Direct-on-line, star-delta and soft starters are common.

Refrigeration & AC on Ships

MAR-091 · What is the vapour compression refrigeration cycle?

The refrigerant is compressed, condensed to a liquid, expanded through an expansion valve, and evaporated to absorb heat from the cold space. The four parts are compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator.

MAR-092 · What is a refrigerant?

A working fluid that absorbs heat when it evaporates and rejects heat when it condenses. Common marine examples are R134a, R404A, R407C and natural refrigerants such as CO₂ (R744) and ammonia (R717).

MAR-093 · What does the condenser do?

It removes heat from the hot compressed refrigerant vapour and condenses it to liquid. On ships it is usually seawater- or fresh-water-cooled.

MAR-094 · What does the expansion valve do?

It drops refrigerant pressure and meters liquid into the evaporator. A thermostatic expansion valve keeps a set superheat at the evaporator outlet.

MAR-095 · What is the coefficient of performance (COP)?

The ratio of refrigeration effect to work input: COP = Qe/W. A higher COP means more efficient refrigeration.

MAR-096 · What is the provision refrigeration plant?

The plant serving the cold rooms for ship's food: freezer rooms (meat, fish) at about −18 °C or lower, and chill rooms (vegetables, dairy) a few degrees above 0 °C.

MAR-097 · What is the function of the receiver?

It stores liquid refrigerant after the condenser, buffers load changes and holds the charge during maintenance pump-down.

MAR-098 · What is the drier (filter drier)?

A cartridge in the liquid line that removes moisture and dirt from the refrigerant. Moisture can freeze at the expansion valve and form acids.

MAR-099 · What is defrosting?

Removing frost from evaporator coils, by electric heaters or hot gas, because frost insulates the coil and cuts heat transfer.

MAR-100 · What does an air conditioning plant control?

Temperature, humidity, air purity and air circulation in accommodation spaces.

MAR-101 · What is a sight glass in a refrigeration system?

A window in the liquid line showing whether the refrigerant is fully liquid. Bubbles indicate undercharge, and a moisture indicator changes colour if water is present.

MAR-102 · What is the HP/LP cut-out?

Pressure switches that stop the compressor if discharge pressure is too high (for example, condenser cooling failure) or suction pressure is too low.

Fuels, Lubrication & Bunkering

MAR-103 · What is heavy fuel oil (HFO)?

A residual fuel left after distillation, with high viscosity and density. It must be heated and purified before use. RMG 380 (380 cSt at 50 °C) is a common grade.

MAR-104 · What is marine gas oil (MGO)?

A light distillate fuel with low viscosity and low sulphur. It needs no heating and is used in emission control areas, emergency generators and for flushing.

MAR-105 · What is viscosity?

A fluid's resistance to flow, usually given as kinematic viscosity in cSt (mm²/s). Fuel must be at the right viscosity at the injector for good atomisation.

MAR-106 · What is flash point?

The lowest temperature at which a fuel gives off enough vapour to ignite briefly when a flame is applied. SOLAS requires fuel for general use to have a flash point of at least 60 °C.

MAR-107 · What is pour point?

The lowest temperature at which an oil still flows. Fuel must be stored above it to stay pumpable.

MAR-108 · What is bunkering?

The process of loading fuel onto a ship from a barge, terminal or truck.

MAR-109 · What is the Bunker Delivery Note (BDN)?

A document from the supplier stating the quantity, density, viscosity, sulphur content and other data of the fuel delivered. Under MARPOL Annex VI it is kept on board for three years.

MAR-110 · What is the Total Base Number (TBN)?

A measure of a lubricant's alkalinity, which neutralises acids formed from fuel sulphur. Cylinder oils have high TBN; system oils have low TBN.

MAR-111 · What is cylinder oil?

Oil injected into the liners of crosshead engines to lubricate piston rings and neutralise sulphuric acid. It is consumed in operation and not recirculated.

MAR-112 · What is system oil?

The circulating lube oil for the crankcase bearings, crosshead and often piston cooling in a crosshead engine.

MAR-113 · What is the settling tank?

A heated tank where fuel stays so water and sludge settle by gravity before purification. It is drained regularly.

MAR-114 · What is the service tank?

The tank holding purified fuel ready to supply the engines. It usually overflows back to the settling tank.

Maritime Regulations (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ISM, ISPS)

MAR-115 · What is the IMO?

The International Maritime Organization, a UN agency that creates international rules on shipping safety, security and pollution prevention.

MAR-116 · What is SOLAS?

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (1974, as amended). It sets minimum standards for construction, fire protection, life-saving equipment, radio and navigation.

MAR-117 · What is MARPOL?

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). Its six annexes cover oil, noxious liquids, packaged harmful substances, sewage, garbage and air pollution.

MAR-118 · What is STCW?

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (1978, amended in 2010 at Manila). It sets competence, certification and rest-hour rules.

MAR-119 · What is the ISM Code?

The International Safety Management Code. It requires each company and ship to have a Safety Management System and a Designated Person Ashore.

MAR-120 · What is the ISPS Code?

The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. It requires security plans, officers and three security levels for ships and port facilities.

MAR-121 · What is MLC 2006?

The Maritime Labour Convention, the "seafarers' bill of rights". It covers employment conditions, hours of work and rest, accommodation, food, medical care and welfare.

MAR-122 · What is the Oil Record Book?

A logbook where oil and oily-waste operations are recorded. Part I covers machinery space operations; Part II covers cargo and ballast operations on tankers.

MAR-123 · What is flag state and port state?

The flag state is the country where the ship is registered and responsible for its compliance. Port state control lets a country inspect foreign ships in its ports and detain substandard ones.

MAR-124 · What is the IOPP certificate?

The International Oil Pollution Prevention certificate, issued under MARPOL Annex I, confirming the ship's oil pollution prevention equipment complies.

MAR-125 · What is the Ballast Water Management Convention?

An IMO convention (adopted 2004) requiring ships to manage ballast water to stop transfer of invasive aquatic species, by exchange or approved treatment systems.

MAR-126 · What is an Emission Control Area (ECA)?

A sea area with stricter limits on SOx and/or NOx emissions under MARPOL Annex VI. Inside a SOx ECA, fuel sulphur must not exceed 0.10%.

Safety, Firefighting & Survival

MAR-127 · What is the fire triangle?

The three elements needed for fire: fuel, heat and oxygen. Removing any one puts out the fire. The fire tetrahedron adds the chemical chain reaction.

MAR-128 · What are the classes of fire?

Under the common ISO/European scheme: A (solid combustibles), B (flammable liquids), C (gases), D (metals), F (cooking oil). Electrical fires are treated separately.

MAR-129 · What fire extinguishers are carried on ships?

Water, foam, dry chemical powder and CO₂ portable extinguishers, matched to the likely fire classes in each space.

MAR-130 · What is a fixed fire-fighting system?

A permanently installed system such as CO₂ flooding, high-expansion foam, water mist or sprinklers, used to protect engine rooms, cargo holds and accommodation.

MAR-131 · What is an EEBD?

An Emergency Escape Breathing Device, a short-duration air supply used only to escape from a smoky or hazardous atmosphere, not for firefighting.

MAR-132 · What is an SCBA?

A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus with a compressed air cylinder and full face mask, used by fire teams and for rescue in hazardous atmospheres.

MAR-133 · What is a lifeboat?

A survival craft carried on davits or launched free-fall that can hold people after abandoning ship. Modern cargo ships use totally enclosed lifeboats.

MAR-134 · What is a liferaft?

An inflatable survival craft stored in a canister. It inflates automatically when thrown or when released by a hydrostatic release unit as the ship sinks.

MAR-135 · What is an EPIRB?

An Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon that transmits a distress signal with position to search and rescue via satellite. It floats free and activates automatically.

MAR-136 · What is the muster list?

A list showing each crew member's duty and station for emergencies such as fire and abandon ship, together with the alarm signals.

MAR-137 · What is an immersion suit?

An insulated waterproof suit that reduces body heat loss in cold water and improves survival time.

MAR-138 · What is the fire main?

The seawater piping system with hydrants, supplied by fire pumps, used to fight fires anywhere on the ship.

Engine Room Operations & Watchkeeping

MAR-139 · What is an engine room watch?

A period during which a watchkeeping engineer is responsible for the safe operation, monitoring and logging of machinery.

MAR-140 · What is a UMS ship?

An Unattended (Unmanned) Machinery Space ship, where the engine room can run without a watchkeeper for set periods. Alarms are relayed to the bridge and the duty engineer.

MAR-141 · What is the engine room logbook?

The official record of machinery parameters, events, running hours and orders during each watch.

MAR-142 · What is the Chief Engineer's Standing Orders?

Written instructions from the Chief Engineer about how watches are kept and when he must be called.

MAR-143 · What is a "dead man" alarm?

An alarm that sounds if the duty engineer does not reset it within a set time while alone in the engine room, alerting others that he may be incapacitated.

MAR-144 · What is a blackout?

A complete loss of main electrical power, usually from tripping of the running generators. The emergency generator then starts automatically.

MAR-145 · What is the engine control room (ECR)?

An enclosed room in the engine room with the controls, alarms, monitoring screens and switchboard used to operate the plant.

MAR-146 · What is a permit to work?

A written authorisation system for hazardous jobs such as hot work, enclosed space entry or electrical isolation. It lists hazards, precautions and approvals.

MAR-147 · What is lockout/tagout?

Isolating machinery from energy sources and fitting locks and tags so it cannot be started while someone is working on it.

MAR-148 · What is the planned maintenance system (PMS)?

A schedule of maintenance tasks based on running hours or calendar time, with records of work done and spare parts used.

MAR-149 · What is "finished with engines" (FWE)?

The bridge order signalling that the main engine is no longer needed after arrival, so engineers can stop it and change over to port routine.

MAR-150 · What are engine room rounds?

Regular patrols of the machinery space checking temperatures, pressures, levels, leaks, noises and alarms, beyond what the control room shows.

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