EK GENERAL FROM APR 2017-APR 2019

SURVEYS

FEB 2019

As second engineer onboard a tanker, describe the procedure for presenting a Main
Boiler for survey by a classification society.

DEC 2018

Describe the in-water survey to classification society requirements of the external

underwater structure of a very large crude carrier.

JUN 2018

You have been appointed as Second Engineer of an older vessel which is in dry-
docking and recently been purchased by your shipping company. Describe, in detail
about your inspection, to ensure that the equipment’s on board ship related to safety
equipment (related to firefighting and lifesaving) survey are satisfactorily complied with.

APR 2018

As second engineer onboard a tanker, describe the procedure for presenting an

auxiliary engine for survey by a classification society.

BOILERS
FEB 2019

You were asked to join a ship as second engineer. During briefing you were informed
about frequent boiler uptake fires happening onboard. prepare a plan for to reduce
boiler uptake fires. How will you monitor the progress of your plan and what instructions
you will issue to the watch keepers.

FEB 2019

With reference to Boiler water tests carried out onboard:

A. Discuss the possible reasons for the following changes in boiler water test results,
and state what actions should be taken in each case;
1. Reduction in total dissolved solids and chemical reserves.
2. Reduction in phosphate reserve, with increase in chlorides and total dissolved solids;
3. Reduction in alkalinity reserve only.
4. Increase in oxygen levels only.
B. State why the complete results of boiler water tests are logged or entered into a data
retrieval system rather than a note being made of any particular result which may be
outside set limits.

DEC 2018

With reference to main boiler super heater arrangements:

A. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of contra flow with parallel flow design.
B. Describe how the element tube banks are supported yet allow for expansion.
C. Describe how boiler carryover affects super heater effectiveness and condition.

MAR 2018

With regards to boiler water level control. Explain the following

A.Shrink and swell phenomenon; B. Cascade control; C. Split control; D. Condensing
chamber – Function and location

MAR 2018

Sketch a high lift safety valve and seat detailing their special features; Describe how
such a valve is overhauled and any clearance that should be measured and noted.
DEC 2017

A. Describe the procedure to be adopted for the inspection of a safety valve fitted to an
exhaust gas boiler stating, with reasons, which parts should receive particularly close
attention.
B. Describe the procedure for the setting of safety valves of exhaust gas operated
auxiliary boilers;
C. Explain the action a Watch-keeping Engineer should take after the setting of safety
valves as in (B)

NOV 2017

Discuss, with reference to the super heater outlet temperature of a main boiler operating
at a constant load, the following statements: - A. An increase in excess air will tend to
cause a decrease in super heater outlet temperature due to the cooling effect of more
air being introduced; B. A decrease in economizer inlet temperature will tend to cause a
decrease in super heater outlet temperature due to the cooling effect of more water
being introduced. C. Badly fouled generating tube banks will cause an increase in the
super heater outlet temperature. D. Excessive amounts of total dissolved solids in the
boiler water will cause variations in the super heater outlet temperature.
JUN 2017

With respect to auxiliary boiler water level maintenance and indication, describe, with
the aid of sketch’s,
the sensing devices for.
(i)A feed pump control;
(ii) Local water level;
(iii) Remote water level;
(iv) Low and high water level alarms.

JUN 2017

A.(i) Sketch a combustion gas system, suitable for inerting the cargo spaces of a vessel.
(ii)Describe the
operation of this system.
B. State the percentage analysis by volume of the inert gas generated by the system in
(A).

WELDING
NOV 2018

A rudder of a vessel requires extensive welding repairs and as Second Engineer you
are requested
to supervise the repairs.
A. Suggest a suitable type of welding process;
B. State, with reasons, FOUR common welding defects.
C. State what tests may be carried out before returning the rudder to service.

JUN 2017

Sketch suitable welded joints indicating the approximate plate thickness and dimensions
of preparation for the following purposes – A. End plate connection to the shell of an
unfired pressure vessel; B. Longitudinal seam of an unfired pressure vessel; C.
Prefabricated combustion chamber for an auxiliary boiler

MATERIAL SCIENCE
APR 2019

Cast iron is most widely used metal after steel in marine engineering. Most cast iron
consists of graphite in steel like matrix. Discuss the variation of properties that may
arise with reference to pearlitic grey cast iron and spherical grey cast iron. Describe
briefly the treatment necessary to produce these two types of Iron.

FEB 2019

Explain Creep; Brenelling; Fretting; Fretting corrosion; State, with reasons, where these
may occur in ship propulsion System.

JAN 2019

Discuss the causes of corrosion and means by which corrosion of the following may be
limited by manufacturers and ship’s personnel respectively:
A. Internal and External surfaces of auxiliary steam lines;
B. External surfaces of auxiliary boilers;
C. Water boxes of sea water coolers and condensers;
D. Main sea water inlet pipes.

NOV 2018

Compare and contrast the destructive testing done on engineering materials with non-
destructive testing done on engineering components. Briefly describe one destructive
test and two non-destructive tests to illustrate the answer

APR 2018

State with reasons how cracking in EACH of the following location is caused rectified
and avoided
1. A-frame ; 2. Bedplate longitudinal girder; 3. Bed plate transverse girder.

MAR 2018

A. With reference to fatigue of engineering components explain the influence of stress

level at cyclical frequency on expected operating life.; B. Explain the influence of
material defects on the safe operating life of engineering component;
C. State the factors which influence the possibility of fatigue cracking of a bed plate
transverse girder and explain how the

OCT 2017

A. State the laboratory tests that may be carried out on specimens of steel for ships'
plate giving reasons for the tests.
B. The basic compositions of two ships' plates are given in Table below
One is an example of modem practice whilst the other is a specification of a 1940's
tanker that split in two due to brittle fracture. Compare these two specifications critically
and explain which of these two steels would be most resistant to brittle fracture.
 REFRIGERATION AND AC
Apr 2019

Sketch and describe the refrigeration system of a container carrying bananas only. How
does the controlled atmosphere of the container extend the green life and shelf life of
bananas? How is the airflow system designed?

With reference to air conditioning system onboard your vessel

a. Sketch and describe a high pressure cut out in a refrigeration system

b. The refrigeration compressor has stopped due to the hp cut out. Explain 1.
Possible causes 2. How these causes would be found and possible remedies.
c. What steps are taken if the compressor “short-cycle” on LP cut out.

FEB 2019

With respect to refrigeration gases used on-board vessels, answer the following
A. Explain Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) of
conventional refrigerant gases
B. Name the alternate refrigerant gases available and being used onboard.
C. Explain the steps you will take to ensure that release of refrigerant gases from the
plant is minimized during normal operation and during maintenance activities.

JAN 2019

With Respect to Container Ship: -

A. Sketch a ship’s indirect refrigeration system arranged for cooling containers stowed
in stacks in the hold;
B. Describe the refrigeration system sketched in (A) ;
C. State the advantages of the system described in (A) compared with containers with
their own refrigeration self-contained units.

SEP 2018

(a) Detail the desirable properties of a refrigerant.

(b) Make a table and compare following refrigerants for use in a provision cooling plant
for a 50000 DWT Oil tanker: R-22, R-134a.
NOV 2017

Draw a line diagram of an accommodation air conditioning plant labelling the principle
items and showing the direction of airflow. State how: A. Accommodation air
temperature is controlled; B. Humidity is controlled within prescribed comfort limits; C.
such an installation can contribute to the efficiency if ship’s main plant

A. Sketch in diagrammatic form, a refrigeration unit operating on the vapour

compression system. B. Describe how it operates and how adjustments can be made to
its operating temperature. C. What effect will the following have on its operation i. high
ambient temperature. ii. Gradual loss of gas. iii. Dirty heat exchanger

STEERING GEAR
FEB 2019

Sketch and describe a “fail safe steering gear” suitable for use on a tanker of more than
100,000 T dwt; Explain the sequence of events that take place when an oil leak takes
place in one of the hydraulic pipe lines.

JUN 2018

Sketch and describe the operation of four ram electro-hydraulic steering gear system.
Indicate and explain the valve position for the operation of the system when one pump
is isolated and unit is operating two rams only.

MAR 2018

With regards to steering control system. Explain following with the aid of suitable
diagram.
(a) Safematic concepts;
(b) The flow reversal of main hydraulic pump and advantages;
(c) The flow volume variation of hydraulic pump and method of achieve;
(d) Hunting lever functioning.

FEB 2018

A. Describe with the aid of sketches where necessary a vane type steering gear
showing how to weight of the rudder and stock are carried and the arrangement that
allow for wear down; B. State how the vanes described in (A) are secured and the
method of sealing the edges; C. State how, if necessary, the steering gear is locked for
rudder maintenance.
DEC 2017

With reference to electro-hydraulic steering gears: A. Explain in terms of control

parlance, the function of the “Hunting gear”; B. Explain the consequences if the standby
pumping unit is motored; C. State TWO methods employed to prevent the standby
hydraulic pump being motored by the operating unit.

OCT 2017

A. Draw a diagram of a 4 ram hydraulic steering gear showing;

(i) Pump, isolating valves;
(ii) Relief\shock valves;
(iii) By pass valve;
B. Explain the operation of the system sketched in (A);
C. Indicate in the diagram the valve position for operation of the system when one pump
is isolated
and the unit is operating on 2 rams only.

AUG 2017

With reference to electro hydraulic steering gear systems with four rams A. With the aid
of a sketch describe the working principle of hydraulic pump. B. Explain the method
adopted to prevent hydraulic oil
leakage along the rams C. Discuss the methods
adopted to prevent damage to the steering gear due to jumping of rudder in heavy seas

CPP AND FPP

JAN 2019

With reference to Keyless Propeller:

A. Sketch a section through a keyless sleeved propeller.
B. State the advantages of using a keyless sleeved propeller
C. State with reason, Which metal sleeve should be made for contact with the forged
mild steel tail shaft?
D. State the material uses to bond the sleeve to the propeller and the general thickness
of the bonding material.

DEC 2018

With reference to controllable pitch propellers state:

A. Why is it preferable that the main servomotor be housed in the propeller hub rather
than in the shafting forward of the propeller shaft?
B. What regular maintenance and checks should be carried out to ensure maximum
reliability of the gear at all times?
OCT 2018

Explain in detail the advantages and disadvantages of controllable pitch propellers. With
suitable single line diagrams, explain the ‘Combinator Control’ for CPP.

JULY 2018 BOW THRUSTER

A. Describe a transverse bow thrust unit using CPP, mention how it should be made to
support and how the strength of thrust and reverse thrust are achieved; B. State with
reasons, a suitable prime mover for the controllable pitch propeller; C. State whether the
thrust unit delivers a relatively low pressure head with high volume output or high
pressure head with low volume output.

FEB 2018

With reference to sleeved keyless propeller assemblies: A. (i) State, with reasons, the
metals used in the manufacture of the sleeve and tail end shaft; (ii)State the type and
thickness of material used to bond the sleeve to the propeller boss. B. When removing
the propeller from the tail end shaft, state why the following procedures are not
recommended: (i) Application of push off force by means of wedges or jacks and draw
off force by strong back; (ii) Expansion of propeller boss by concentrated local heating
with gas torches. C. State the correct procedure for the removal of the propeller from
tail end shaft

JULY 2017

A. State why fixed pitch propellers have a poor efficiency when going astern.
B. With reference to controllable pitch propellers state:
i. Why is it preferable that the main servomotor be housed in the propeller hub rather
than in the shafting forward of the propeller shaft?
ii. What regular maintenance and checks should be carried out to ensure maximum
reliability of the gear at all times?

STERN TUBE
FEB 2019

Sketch a sealing arrangement for an oil lubricated stern tube. Identify the common form
of seal failure; State how oil loss due to seal failure can be restricted whist on passage?
What material is used for sealing ring and propeller shaft liner?
DEC 2018

How the ingress of sea water is prevented in an oil lubricated stern bearing system.
Should the system fail, describe the corrective action possible whilst the vessel is
afloat? State the reasons for fitting two stern bearing oil header tanks in some cases?

SEWAGE SYSTEM
JAN 2019

With reference to Vacuum Sewage System:

(i) Sketch & Describe a Vacuum Sewage System.
(ii) State the advantages of Vacuum Sewage System.
(iii) State the different causes of dropping vacuum

INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

OCT 2018

Describe with a sketch a pneumatic relay and show how feedback can be achieved
when such a relay is used in conjunction with a flapper mechanism.

SEPT 2018

Sketch and describe a boiler water level controller of the float operated type. State the
reasons for having this mechanism on the boiler and using this controller and boiler for
analogy. Explain the following terms: A.Detecting element; B. Servo motor; C. Desired
Value

OCT 2017

With reference to feed regulation:

A. Describe, with the aid of sketches, the operation of a boiler feed water regulator
controlled by atleast two other parameters besides water level in the drum;
B. Give reasons for the inclusion of the other elements besides water level in controlling
feed flow;
C. Deduce the possible effects on the system w3hen the drain valve in the constant leg
in the level transmitter starts to leak.

AUG 2017

Explain the working principle of differential Pressure Transmitter with the help of
diagram and explain the following parts with
their usages. A. Zero and span calibration B. Negative feedback bellow C. Pilot amplifier
functions D. Zero Elevation Concept
With regards to process control system explain following A. Proportional Control B.
Integral Control C. Derivative Control D. The necessity of Derivative control

FO AND LO
FEB 2019

Describe the importance of maintaining the quality of lube oil in maintaining the proper
health of marine diesel engines highlighting the role of (a) Automatic back flushing
filters. (b) Lube oil separators (c) Magnetic filters (d) Visual Inspection (e) Periodic
laboratory tests.

With respect to properties of fuel oil, explain the significance of the following terms;
(a) Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Inbox (CCAI).
(b) Open flash point and Closed flash point.
(c) The importance of Sodium to Vanadium Ratio.
(d) Octane Number.

JULY 2018

With regard to care of lubricating oils on board answer the following – A. What is
microbial degradation of lubricating oil and how is it prevented? B. What methods are
employed to ensure correct sampling for shore based testing? C) If shore based testing
results show abnormal value of water content and TBN for crank case lube oil of a slow
speed main engine, what will be interpretation and subsequent action?

JUN 2018

Damage has occurred to the main engine exhaust valves and the fuel supplied at a
particular port is suspected. The owner’s case/ however, in the ensuing dispute may be
weak because the fuel was ordered specifying only type and viscosity. A. Apart from
fuel specification, describe how you, as Second Engineer, should have assisted the
owners’ case when receiving the suspect fuel. B. Describe a recognized fuel standard
that may be used when ordering bunker fuel. C. Explain how the correct fuel standard
selected. D. Suggest, with reasons, why particular mention should be made of certain
elements that might not be included in the fuel standard.

APR 2018

Discuss the importance and methods employed in maintaining the quality of lubricating
oils in main and auxiliary diesel engines. As second engineer, what strategy you would
employ to ensure that the main engine crank case oil quality is ensured.
NOV 2017

A. Sketch and describe TWO methods that employ manometric means for measuring
tank contents. B. State what corrections are made to the readings obtained by the
methods described in (A) in order to gauge the mass contents? C. Explain how
bunkering requirements may be estimated when no records of main engine fuel
consumption are available on board.
TANKERS
MAR 2019

With reference to Flue Gas Inert Gas systems:

a. Sketch a line diagram showing a typical ‘ Inert Gas System’ used for inerting the
cargo tanks of oil tankers, labeling the component parts.
b. Describe the system.
c. State what oxygen content you would expect in the flue gas if good combustion is
achieved.

JAN 2019

Sketch and describe a system for oil monitoring of bilge and tanker ballast discharges.
What inputs are recorded? Explain the difficulties encountered with the efficient
operation of the oil monitoring system.

DEC 2018

With respect to tankers describes:

A. How a pump room and cargo tanks are ventilated?
B. The main problem of carrying liquefied natural gas.
C. How the boil off from liquefied natural gas is handled?

You have been appointed as second engineer on a crude carrier, recently purchased by
your shipping company. The company superintendent requests that you examine the
vessel with a view to increasing its deadweight capacity without altering the ship’s
length. Outline the suggestions that you would make, justifying your proposals.

MAR 2018

With respect to tankers describes: - A. How a pump room is ventilated? B. How cargo
tanks are ventilated? C. Cargo tank protection as per SOLAS 1974; D. Additional
alarms provided for inert gas systems of the ‘inert gas generator’ type.
A. State the advantages of using steam turbine propulsion power for vessels carrying
LNG cargo. B. With regard to the use of L.N.G. cargo as boiler fuel explain: (i)The
safety precautions relating to the gas pipeline supplying the boiler and burning the gas
in the boiler, (ii) The means of getting rid of “excess gases” during loading or discharge.

DEC 2017

With reference to the carriage and pumping of liquefied gas cargo: A. Sketch a suitable
pumping system labeling the component parts; State; B. Why submerged hydraulically
driven pumps are not used; C. How overheating of pump drive shaft bearings is
avoided; D. How tank is rendered safe both in loaded & unloaded condition. E Why at
the end of discharge about 2% of liquid cargo is left in the tank. F. State, how the risk of
fire and explosion in cargo tanks is obviated both in the loaded and discharged
condition.
MAIN AIR COMPRESSORS
OCT 2018

With reference to the operation of two stage reciprocating air compressors explain the
following terms:
a. Advantages of Multistage compression.
b. Significance of bumping clearance and adjustment thereof.
e. Reasons for reduction of compressor capacity.
d. Reasons and Effects of Second stage suction valve leakage.

FEB 2018

With reference to reciprocating air compressors explain why - A. Clearance volume is

critical to efficiency; B. Springloaded plate valves are invariably used; C. Compression
is accomplished in apparently unequal stages; D. Inter cooling is used between stages.

AUG 2017

With respect to Main Air compressors explain the effect of the following on the running
of the compressor A. Improper bumping clearance B. Improper connecting rod bearing
clearance C. Fouled air intake filters D. Fouled after cooler

DEC 2017

A. Explain the necessity of intercoolers on a multi-stage compressor. What attention is

required to keep them safe and in good working order?
B. Sketch and describe an intercooler suitable for a 2400 kpa compressor and state
materials used.
C. What attention is needed before opening up for inspection? What faults are likely to
develop in an air compressor and how are they remedied.

DECK MACHINERY
AUG 2018

With respect to Windlass and Deck Machinery;

(a) Describe the principle of coil-operated brake suitable for winches and other deck
machinery.
(b) Explain with suitable sketches how the windlass is relieved of strain when riding at
anchor

SEP 2017

With reference to hydraulic system for deck machinery identify: A. The types of
contamination likely to be found in hydraulic systems for deck machinery; B. The
sources of such impurities; C. Means used to prevent problems with contamination; D.
Possible effects of the oil contamination on the system.

VIBRATION
FEB 2018

A new vessel exhibits severe aft end vibration - A. As a Second Engineer Officer,
outline a procedure to investigate and identify the source of vibration; B. Suggest
possible remedies to obviate / reduce aft end vibration.

NOV 2017

During a loaded sea passage an unusual noise followed by excessive vibrations were
experienced in the engine room of your vessel while she was underway. Vessel is fitted
with a four-bladed propeller directly coupled to a 2 stroke Diesel engine. Engine room is
located aft. After preliminary investigation and from the engine parameters, you have
come to the conclusion that propeller has sustained damage. Write a letter to your
company reporting this incidence and justification for your conclusion suggesting future
course of action.
 CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS AND GEAR PUMPS
APR 2019

With reference to gear type pumps used for lubricating oil transfer

a. Sketch and describe a gear type pump indicating the flow of liquid.
b. State the materials that gear type pump components may be manufactured from
c. Specify the THREE applications that are suitable for the employment of gear type
pumps.

JAN 2018

A. Explain why centrifugal pumps cannot handle air or vapours to effect priming yet
turbo- blowers operating on the same principle can;
B. If a vessel is fully laden, how it may be ascertained that the fire pump priming
arrangements would operate satisfactorily in the ballast condition;
C. Explain a method of priming suitable for a centrifugal pump.

AUG 2017

With reference to centrifugal pumps and pumping systems. A) Under what conditions, a
centrifugal pump require a priming device for pump to operate normally? B) Draw a neat
graph and explain and the performance curves of a centrifugal pump.

HEAT EXCHANGERS
DEC 2017

With reference to multi-tubular heat exchangers explain:

(A) How and where impingement attack is likely to occur in the tubes
(B) Why it desirable is that coolant flow rate should not exceed that required to maintain
correct fluid temperatureI . Ample well-shaped water boxes and smooth tube inlets are
desirable
(D) Partial obstruction of tube bore is a common cause of tube failure

AUG 2017

With respect to heat exchanges used on board ship A) Explain parallel and contra flow
B) Draw a neat diagram showing the expansion arrangement of tubes in a tube and
shell type heat exchanges C) What are the factors taken into account while deciding the
number of phases for fluid at the design Stage
 OTHERS
APR 2019

You have been appointed as the Second Engineer of an eight years old vessel recently
purchased by your shipping company. Write a report to the engineering superintendent
covering the inspection of main propulsion machinery carried out by you to ensure its
troublefree operation.

NOV 2018

Reverse osmosis is the modern alternative for shipboard production of drinking water.
A. Describe using simple diagrams if necessary, the principle of reverse osmosis.
B. (i) Sketch a line diagram showing a single pass system for producing fresh water
from sea water.
(ii) Describe such a system.

JAN 2019

Hyper mist system in your ship often gets activated on top of Incinerator unit. Write a
letter to company, to introduce an additional layer of activation for system, so that false
alarm activation is stopped.

JULY 2018

With regards to main transmission shaft flange coupling arrangements: A. Sketch a

hollow type coupling bolt and the hydraulic head/nut and loading rod which are used to
fit it; B. Describe how the bolt is fitted; C. State the advantage of the hollow coupling bolt
as compared to the traditional type of coupling bolt.

FEB 2018

With reference to oily water separators: - A. Describe with the aid of a sketch, the
working of such a separator; B.Explain the consequence if the interface detector
position is incorrect; C. Enumerate the various possibilities by which oil / water interface
can be disturbed.

NOV 2017

During routine soundings, it is found that leakage into a cofferdam is occurring from an
adjacent deep cargo oil tank. As Second Engineer state the procedure for directing safe
entry by the engine room staff to ascertain the cause of the leakage. If the leakage
persists, discuss EACH of the following options as a possible remedy: i) Leave the
cofferdam to flood with oil (ii) Flood the cofferdam with sea water (iii) Seal the
Cofferdam and pressurize with air (iv) Pump the leakage to bunker tanks.

AUG 2017

A. List the various type of valves used on board ship relating to the function required. B.
With the help of sketch, describe how a screw down non-return globe valve be made a
return valve?
A) Explain the advantages of using hollow shaft in place of solid shaft for intermediate
shaft in propulsion system. B) With the aid of a simple sketch describe the lubrication
system of Plummer block bearing.

JUN 2017

A. the UMS monitoring and control system of your ship has recently started to give false
alarms and incorrect data printouts. State, with reasons, possible causes if the false
alarms and reading are: I. Localized to a particular area of engine operation; ii. General
to the engine room B. State, with reasons, the action you, as Second Engineer, would
take to ensure continued safe operation of the vessel if the defects were general to the
engine room. C. Explain the procedure you, as Second Engineer, would adopt in order
to locate and rectify a general fault in the UMS system