Certification Assistance for Marine Engineers

Canadian First Class ME 
Engineering Knowledge - General

In Canada, Transport Canada administers the Marine Engineering examination process; visit the Training Page for details on the process. The actual exam consist of nine (9) questions randomly drawn from a question bank of the various subject. Six (only) must be answered in a 3.5hrs time frame. The exam questions are similar to these, presented below, and are drawn heavily from similar question in the Reed's Marine Engineering series of books. 

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Disclaimer

Transport Canada has ask us to advise users of this webpage to keep in mind that these questions are not the exact questions found in their exams. Martin's Marine Engineering Page - www.dieselduck.net is not affiliated with Transport Canada and these questions have been gathered from various sources.

Attempt any SIX (6) questions
Time = 3.5 hrs


Test A

The Great Lakes Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations expressly forbids the contamination of these waters by raw sewage from ships. Using sketches, describe two entirely different methods available for dealing with the raw sewage so as to comply with the intent of this Regulation.

(i) Enumerate the factors that should be considered when choosing between a sand casting process and a die﷓casting process.
(ii)Describe with the aid of a sketch the sand casting process showing the pattern in the flask and the names of the parts.

Describe with the aid of a sketch the activating equipment for a ships stabilizer. What advantage or disadvantage has the folding type of stabilizer fin over the axial withdraw-able type?

Write a short essay on the corrosion of the ferrous metals. What methods .may be adopted to prevent or retard corrosion?

It has been found necessary to completely replenish all of the oil in the lubricating system of a large motor ship (or steam turbine ship). As Chief Engineer, write a detailed report to the Superintendent Engineer justifying this heavy expenditure, the expediencies required to prevent further trouble during the voyage, and suggestions for permanent measures to avoid a recurrence of the initial problem.

(i) Sketch and describe a Pilgrim Nut for securing a propeller to the screw shaft. Describe how this device is used to loosen the propeller on the shaft when removal or inspection becomes necessary.
(ii)Give four (4) reasons why this method is considered to be superior to all other methods.

(i) Describe an air conditioning system for a passenger car ferry.
(ii) Explain in detail how the humidity of the air is measured and controlled.

A ship is engaged in filling the double-bottom and deep tanks with fuel. Explain and describe:
(i) the dangers implicit in the operation.
(ii) the precautions that must be observed.
(iii)the legal requirements that must be adhered to.

(i) Using a line diagram, describe a fire smothering system which draws inert gas from the funnel that is, the exhaust of the main engine or boilers.
(ii) Can such a system be used for extinguishing engine room fires?
(iii)What are the time related problems inherent with inert gas systems and how are they overcome.

 

Test B

You are appointed Chief Engineer of a 20 year old ship and are required to carry out an extensive survey of the main propelling machinery. State what defects you would expect to find and what corrective measures you would take.

Sketch and describe a thermocouple pyrometer. Where are thermocouple pyrometers fitted on steam and motor ships?

Name three materials that propellers are made from. What are the advantages and disadvantages (if any) of each of these three materials. A vessel is in dry﷓dock; explain how you would measure the propeller pitch.

Various tests are carried out on material used for boiler construction. With reference to these tests, explain the following terms (1) elongation (2) yield point (3) area reduction (4) ultimate stress.

Describe how you would remove air from a telemotor system. What are the dangers of air in a telemotor system?

What gases are present in oil tanks after pumping out? How would you remove these gases and what are the dangers of these gases.

Describe a bilge system suitable for a ship with cellular double bottoms. By means of a simple sketch, show the positions of pumps, manifolds, suctions, etc.

Sketch and describe a fluid coupling as used with a prime mover. Why are these couplings fitted?

What is the chemical composition of coal? Give the average calorific value of coal. Describe the chemical process when coal is burned in air.



TEST C

Sketch and describe a rotary type variable oil delivery pump as used in an electro-hydraulic Steering Gear. Describe the pumping action. What would happen if it ran for a long period of time without any pumping action taking place?

Describe a CO2 fire extinguishing system. How is it operated? What precautions should be taken before using? What must be done to make it fully effective? What is permeability with regard to fire extinguishing equipment?

Describe a method of electric welding suitable for use on board ship. Name the parts which can be welded.

Sketch and describe a refrigerating system with which you are familiar, giving all temperatures and fittings.

Describe a bilge pumping system for a cellular double﷓bottom ship. With the aid of a line diagram, show all suction manifolds and compartments.

Give the average composition of white metal. What is its melting point? What are the advantages of using it? What pressure will it stand and at what pressure will it give?

Describe a Torsion Meter and show how it is used to find Shaft Horse Power. 

A ship has been grounded and damaged severely under the engine room. After completion of repairs, what steps would you take to ensure that the machinery is in a condition ready to be operated.

Sketch and describe the function and operation of an. Oily Water Separator. What are the penalties for polluting harbour waters?



Test D

Sketch and describe an automatic Sprinkler System as fitted on board ship and indicate in what locations sprinkler heads are fitted.

Describe a Dynamometer as used to find Brake Horse Power. After determining the BHP, how would you find the mechanical efficiency?

Sketch and describe an electro-hydraulic Steering Gear as fitted on board ship and indicate emergency steering methods. How is the weight of rudder supported?

Describe the manufacture of lube oil , fuel oil, heave oil , etc. What are the various tests made to a sample of fuel oil? Why are they made?

Describe a Submersible Pump. What connections are fitted to one and how is it controlled?

What gases are found in an oil tank after pumping out? How would you rid the tank of these gases and make it safe to enter. What precautions are taken near oil tanks and what could result from the presence of gases in empty tanks?

Describe the Open Hearth Process of making steel. What is the basic process and the acid process?

Describe the procedure in lining up an engine bed-plate, main bearings, gear box, thrust block, propeller shafting and tail-end shaft, assuming this to be a new ship.

What is meant by the mechanical properties of the metals used in Marine Engineering? What is meant by elongation, ultimate stress, yield point and permanent set?

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Test E

Describe a refrigeration system with which you are familiar, giving important temperatures and pressures.

Describe an arrangement of cocks and valves to prevent a deep tank from being inadvertently filled with water when used for cargo or vice-versa. What are the disadvantages of having these tanks only partially filled when in ballast?

What provision is made to avoid damage to steering engines when they are situated adjacent to the rudder stock? Describe a steering system showing how it is controlled from the Bridge. What is the hunting gear? Describe its action.

Give the calorific values of anthracite and bituminous coals. What are the chemical compositions of this coal? 

What are the probable causes of fire breaking out in the engine room of a ship using oil fuel? What precautions are taken to avoid this? Describe a system of detecting fire aboard ship and the method of preventing fire breaking out? Discuss firefighting methods aboard ship.

Compare the advantages of forged and built﷓up crankshafts with special reference to the magnitude of the stresses in the cranks. How would you check the deflections by means of a dial gauge through one revolution of the shaft? How are the readings obtained interpreted? How is wear down measured?

Discuss any form of the following:
(1)flashpoing
(2)viscosity 
(3)calorific value
(4)conradson carbon
(5)pour point
(6)fire point

The vessel of which you are Chief Engineer suffers a grounding. Write a report to the Superintendent of the company about the surveys and inspections subsequently carried out when the vessel was dry-docked in a foreign port.

Describe how you would test boiler water for (a) alkalinity (b) chlorides. State the values obtained from the tests that would be considered suitable for a water tube boiler. If the test results were unsatisfactory, what remedial action would you take?

 

Test F

What is meant by the flash point of oil? How is it obtained? What are the approximate closed flash points of the following fuels: Diesel oil Bunker oil, Kerosene, Gasoline?

Describe how you would withdraw a propeller shaft and state what examination of the shaft and stern tube you would make, describing any defects you might expect to find. If the shaft was found to be grooved near the after end, show how you would determine the reduced horse power at which it would be safe to run the engine.

Describe in detail an independent feed pump. Explain how the valve year works and how it is adjusted.

Describe fully any type of hydraulic steering gear with which you are familiar. Explain its operation and how it*s movements are controlled from the bridge.

Describe a CO2 system of refrigeration stating the temperatures and pressures in the various parts of the system and the materials used for pipes, valves, and gauges. State the advantages of this system over the Ammonia Refrigeration system.

Describe, with the aid of a sketch, a device used to measure the depth of oil in a tank. The instrument in the question may be used without opening the tank. Does the specific gravity of the oil have any effect on the reading of this gauge?

Describe a Dynamometer and explain how it is used to brake horse power of an engine. Having obtained the of an engine. Having obtained the brake horse power how would you now determine the mechanical efficiency determine the brake horse power by this instrument of the engine? 

What preventative measures should be taken against the out�break of fire in an oil burning vessel? How would you proceed to subdue such an oil fire? Describe with the aid of a sketch, a foam type portable fire extinguisher. What maintenance does this type of appliance normally require?

With reference to steel, what is meant by the following terms:
(a)Annealing
(b)Tempering
(c)Case hardening
Describe how these processes are carried out.


TEST G

Why is ammonia a good refrigerant? Describe the operations of an ammonia system. What produces the low temperature in cold rooms? How is oil and air removed from the system? Give disadvantages of ammonia.

What is meant by annealing? Describe the process for annealing, (1) cast steel stern frame, (2) copper pipes. What is the difference between case-hardening and tempering?

Sketch and describe a single collar thrust block. How is lubrication effected? What pressure can be carried as compared with a multi-collar thrust?

How is the wear down of a tailshaft checked? How often is it taken? Where would you find previous readings? What maximum wear down would you allow for a 250 mm diameter shaft?

Describe a tensile test made on a specimen steel bar. Define: elongation, yield point, ultimate stress and reduction in area. What is permanent set?

Describe an arrangement for filling and discharging ballast and double� bottom tanks. What types of valves are used and why? Sketch a typical system State the size of piping and pump capacity. Name the materials used.

Sketch and describe a crankshaft main bearing and state the materials used. Explain how to remetal and -refit a bearing under emergency conditions.

What are the probable causes of fire breaking out in the engine room of a ship using oil fuel. What precautions are taken to avoid this? Describe a system of detecting fire aboard ship and the method of preventing fire breaking out?

What type of engine is fitted in motor lifeboats? What planned maintenance measures are carried out? Describe how you would start a lifeboat engine.



Test H

Regarding air receivers and boilers, what is the nature and intent of stresses in the longitudinal and circumferential seams. State the rules that apply.

Describe the process or processes by which gasoline, diesel and boiler fuels , lubricating oils are obtained from the crude product in an oil refinery.

Draw or sketch a refrigeration system you are familiar with, giving pressures and temperatures. How would you charge such a system? How would you know when the system is fully charged?

Sketch and describe a Dynamorneter. How would you determine the mechanical efficiency?

You are the Chief Engineer of a ship with four Engineers and six engine room crew. How would you set up a fire�fighting organization?

Sketch and describe a steam operated duplex pump.

Describe how the position of an engine is determined. Sketch and describe an alignment of main engine and shaft. What does the engine sit on and how is it secured? What is meant by crankshaft deflections and how do you take them?

In a vessel berthed in a foreign port with no drydock facilities, how would you proceed to remove and refit the ship*s propeller?

What are the physical properties of the materials used for:
(a) diesel cylinder liners
(b) exhaust valves
(c) crankshafts
(d) combustion chamber tube sheets


Test I

Sketch and describe a �dry pipe� sprinkler and alarm system as fitted in a passenger ship. How are the �dry valves� reset after use. How is the air pressure maintained?

Why and where are vents fitted to oil tanks? Why is it necessary to fit a gauze to the end of these vents. State the gauze material and indicate how they are secured.

Describe with the aid of a sketch, a device used to measure the depth of oil in a tank. The instrument in question may be used without opening the tank . Does the specific gravity of the oil have any effect on the reading of this gauge.

What is air? What is its composition? Is it chemical or mechanical? What part does it play in combustion?

Describe with a sketch how piston rod glands are fitted on an ammonia or CO2 refrigerating machine. What prevents the refrigerant from leaking by?

Describe a CO2 fire extinguishing system. In your estimation, what volume of gas would be obtained from a Kilogram of liquid 002? What minimum amount would be required for a machinery space expressed on a % basis?

Describe a turbine installation for an ocean-going ship. When preparing for sea how, would you know for certain that the turbine was fully warmed through? How is the turbine held ready for maneuvering at short notice?

Describe the manufacture of cast steel? Where would it be used in conjunction with marine .boilers?

Describe in detail a manifold and valves for a bilge suction system. Name the materials used and explain how a pipe is led through a watertight bulkhead.


Test J

Make a diagrammatic sketch of an oil-burning system suitable for use with a marine boiler.

Explain fully the procedures taken before dry�docking a vessel and the precautions taken before un�docking.

Make a detailed list of all fire-fighting equipment on the last ship in which you sailed. Sketch the layout of engine room and boiler room, placing the equipment in their respective positions.

Explain the reversing effect of steam reciprocating engines, steam turbines, gas turbines, direct diesels, reduction�geared diesels, turbo-electrics, diesel�electrics and controllable�pitch propellers.

How would you test for water in fuel oil and lube oil? What methods are used for separating oil and water? What could happen if water was present in fuel oil or lube oil?

How is a spare blade fitted to the hub of a built-up propeller? How is the blade adjusted?

What danger is there in having oil of a low flash�point on board ship? State the flash point of diesel oil, kerosene and gasoline. What is the minimum flash point permissible for fuel oil?

Sketch and describe a method adopted to enable the tail end shaft of a twin-screw vessel to be drawn out from the stern. State size of shaft.

What causes water-hammer in a steam pipe? How can it be prevented?

Brought to you by www.dieselduck.net comments to [email protected]

Disclaimer

Transport Canada has ask us to advise users of this webpage to keep in mind that these questions are not the exact questions found in their exams. Martin's Marine Engineering Page - www.dieselduck.net is not affiliated with Transport Canada and these questions have been gathered from various sources.