4th Class Orals

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4th Class Orals

Due to the disappearance of the ranks below 4th Engineer, peoples appreciation of the importance of this rank has become muddied. To be clear, the biggest change an engineer makes between moving ranks is the one he makes moving to 4th. They move from a position whereby they have little or no responsibility in the running of the plant, to having full responsibility for the period they are on watch. The examiner will be concerned that you have sufficient knowledge and sense to be able to fulfill this duty. The questions below are separated in two levels of importance indicated by the weight of the font. The bold font questions are common questions, the lighter font questions deal with the examiner wishing you to demonstrate your knowledge. It will not be expected for the examinee to give in depth responses to these latter questions rather than show an appreciation for the subject. Examiners come in many different shapes and sizes. Although they are guided by a set of rules regarding the format and content of the Oral Examination, they are still able to add their own influence. It would be unfair for an examiner to ask questions on a class of ship you have not or are unlikely to have sailed on. Therefore they bias their question on the plant you have fitted. It goes without saying then that you should have a good knowledge of the type of equipment you had fitted on previous vessels. This bias is particularly seen in later higher level orals, however it is still there to a certain degree with the 4th Class. Do not take this as read though as the Examiner may wish you to demonstrate your general engineering knowledge Dress smartly, a colleague of mine turned up with a jumper instead off his suit jacket and was sent home. It will help to demonstrate the examiner how importantly you are treating him. Remain calm! A chief engineer I sailed with called the examiner a 'silly sod' after an argument regarding a piece of machinery. The examiner not only failed him but ensured that he would not pass his 1st class certificate until he retired. Don't waffle as you could end up saying something silly. When asked to supply an exact figure such as a clearance it is perfectly acceptable to reply that you are aware of an approximate figure but know where to find the exact one - i.e. Instruction manual You will be asked to draw something during the examination. You can pre-empt this by reaching for the pencil and paper and sketching an answer to a question you are good at. Incredulously I drew the hunting gear for steering gear on all 5 of my orals. Even on the
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two endorsements. What ever you do, don't reply to a question in such a way that your response could be potentially damaging to life, vessel or environment. Their is a caveat to this, however. I was asked during a class 1 oral how to react to the a situation were a person was down a pumproom which had been on fire for some time and required the release of a bulk flooding agent. It was possibly no coincidence that this situation had arose on my previous vessel. What he required was that you assumed he was dead and you carried out the flooding if rescue was impossible. Keep an eye out for recent shipping events. It is very common for examiners to ask questions directly related to this event. Say a ship goes aground because the staff do not bring the emergency steering into use quickly enough. He may ask you to describe how you do this on your last vessel. When responding to a question which requires emergency action E.g. Fire , flooding. Always start your answer summon assistance. inform bridge. Even if he asks you several similar question repeat this before proceeding. It is not unheard of for an examiner to cut short your answer, happy with this initial response. Click here to see the official syllabus supplied by the British Marine safety agency Questions- these read like written question but are basis for oral. They also can be interpreted as class 2 questions. The difference is the quality and quantity of your answer<

General
Q.Starting from a cold ship, the emergency generator is running flash the ship up to full away Q.Describe the location of General alarm push buttons in the engineroom Q. Talk through an engineroom walkround on your last vessel

Steering gear
Q. Describe the emergency steering procedure on you last vessel Q. Describe the steering gear fitted to your last vessel - for electro hydraulic plant he may be interested in the power supply

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Q. What is special about the overload protection for the steering gear motors

Short Circuit protection and were appropriate-single phase protection is fitted. In addition instead of overcurrent protection an Overload alarm is fitted set to operate at not less than twive normal running current.
Q. Describe the steering gear tests before leaving port Q. Describe the workings of the steering gear hunting gear- including protection for heavy sea effects on the rudder. Q describe the daily checks you make on the steering gear Q Describe the effects of air in the steering gear ( if you have hydraulic telemotors system - the effects of air in this)

Bilge systems
Q. Describe the restrictions for pumping bilge water with respect to you last vessel (be aware of latest M-Notices) Q. What checks are made on the operation of the Bilge separator Q. Describe the procedure for pumping bilges Q. What alarms and shutdowns are fitted Q what special provision is made for evacuating the bilges i.e emergency suctions/pumps including cargo areas. Q. Give likely causes to poor pumping performance of the bilge system

Fuel system
Q. Sketch and describe the fuel system on your last vessel Q. What safety devices, alarms and shut downs are fitted Q. What problems would be cause by over/under heating of the fuel ( Heavy or marine fuel oil only) Q. Describe the procedure for changing over form Heavy to Diesel and vice versa - Be very, very careful here as it is not as easy as what it sounds !! Q. Describe the effects of water contamination, what are the likely sources, how would you rectify the problem Q. What protection is there against fuel leakage Q. Describe the procedure for transfer/ loading of bunkers

Cooling water

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Q. Sketch and describe the system fitted to your last vessel Q. What safety devices, alarms and shut downs are fitted Q. Describe the cooling water treatment, testing , expected results, effects of under/over treatment Q. What temperature regulation was fitted on the fresh water system, what are the effects of under/over cooling on the plant

Power generation
Q. Describe the power generation plant fitted to your last vessel Q. Describe the method of running up the prime mover ( steam and/or motor)- you may be asked about the protection devices fitted as well as any routing testing done and daily checks Q. Describe the method of synchronising a generator on to a live board Q. What are the effects of putting a generator on to a live board, what is the protection against this. Q. Describe the protection devices fitted on the main bus bars and distribution circuits Q. what provision is there for electrical supply following failure of the main generation plant Q. Where are the location of emergency 24v lighting.

Fixed fire fighting and protection

Q. What daily checks are carried out on the fire and smoke detection equipment - this is not as easy as it appears. Q. Describe the location of fire and smoke detection heads Q. Describe the different types of smoke and fire detection equipment fitted to your last vessel Q. What is the procedure following the activation of a smoke /fire detector -- or general alarm Q. Describe the workings of certain types of detector- you would be very unlucky to get this one Q Describe the various fire protection systems fitted to your last vessel Q. Describe the procedure before release of the bulk Fire fighting system into the machinery space Q. What type of portable extinguisher would be used on ---- fire ( fill in the blank) Q. describe the testing, refilling procedure for various portable fire fighting devices Q. Describe the testing procedure of the bulk fixed fire fighting installation Q. Describe the dangers of having combination Bilge/ Ballast/ Fire fighting pumps Q. Describe the testing and requirements of the emergency fire fighting system on your last vessel

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Boilers
Q. Describe the safety devices fitted to a boiler Q. describe your routine checks q. describe the blowdown procedure for a gauge glass- very common question Q. Describe the procedure for flashing the boiler Q. Describe the effects of insufficient/ too much air supply Q. Describe the Requirements for testing of boiler/ feed water. Q. Describe the procedure for testing of boiler/Feed water- give expected results q. what are the effects of over/under chemical dosing Q. What are the safety precautions when dealing with boiler chemicals Q. Describe the procedure for testing boiler safety valves Q. Describe the Boiler mountings fitted on you last vessel Q. What are the dangers of lighting a boiler without proper purging Q. Describe a furnace inspection carried out on your last vessel Q. Describe the procedure for blowing soot. How often carried out Q. What are the effects of insufficient soot blow Q. describe your action when dealing with an uptake ( economiser fire) Q. Describe your actions when dealing with a windbox fire Q. Describes your action in the event of insufficient feed water generation capacity. really a class two question but he may require you to demonstrate a knowledge of water consumption with the plant.

Main engine-Steam Turbine

Q. Describe the safety devices fitted Q. describe the routine checks carried out Q. Describe the procedure for preparing and shutting down the engine prior to and after sailing Q. Explain the need for warming through Q. describe the need for turning the engine when on stand-by Q. Describe the effects of insufficient/too much gland steams supply Q. Describe the effects of loss of condenser vacuum Q. Describe the effects of salt water leakage into the condenser Q. Describe the effects of operating the vessel with a partially shut throttling valve ALmost certainly class two only Q. Explain the reasons for and effects of boiler carryover

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Q. Describe the consequences of operating the plant with too high/ Low superheat temperature Q. describe the need for boiler steam superheating

Main engine-Diesel
( some of these may be asked in regard to diesel generators fitted to vessels you have sailed on. Q. Describe the safety devices fitted Q. describe the routine checks carried out Q. Explain the need for pre-heating by heating the jacket water Q. Describe the procedure for preparing and shutting down the engine prior to and after sailing Q. describe the need for turning the engine when preparing the engine Q. Describe a crankcase/Scavenge inspection Q. Describe the effects of under/over cylinder lubrication- slow speed Q. describe your action when dealing when dealing with a scavenge fire Q. describe your action when dealing with an uptake ( economiser) fire

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4th Class Orals

Class 4 Oral syllabus

Back to 4ths oral page Below is listed the Class 4 oral as supplied by the British Marine Safety Agency (MSA) as of Nov 2000. The first part refers to the syllabus for the engineering knowledge required for the Oral. The second part refers to the Oral syllabus for Watch keeping Engineer Officer which means the Class 4 Oral as quoted in the Marine Notice MGN 69 (m) 'Training and Certification Guidance-Part II.' 1. Routine associated with taking over and accepting a watch 2. Compilation of machinery space log book and understanding significance of readings taken 3. Routine duties undertaken during a watch 4. Routine associated with handing over to the following watch 5. Safety precautions to be observed during a watch and immediate actions in the event of a fire or accident 6. Preparing main machinery and auxiliary equipment for sea. Testing plant and equipment 7. Routine pumping operation of fuel and water 8. Use of oily water separator and precautions to be observed to prevent pollution 9. Operation of auxiliary boiler including combustion system 10. Methods of checking water level in boilers and action necessary if water level is abnormal 11. Preparing, starting, coupling and changing over alternators and generators 12. Immediate action necessary in cases of electric shock 13. Location and rectification of common faults in pumps and pumping systems 14. Location and rectification of common faults in machinery and plant in engine and boiler rooms 15. Recognition of boiler water contamination STCW 95 ENGINEER ORAL EXAMINATION SYLLABUS ENGINEER OFFICER OF THE WATCH MARINE ENGINEERING 1. Maintain a safe engineering watch 1. routing associated with taking over, accepting and handing over a watch 2. compilation of machinery space log book and understanding significance of readings taken 3. routine duties undertaken during watch at sea, at anchor and in port
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4. Changeover of systems from remote/automatic to local control 5. safety precautions to be observed during a watch and immediate actions in the event of equipment breakdown, fire , flooding or accident 6. methods of checking water level in boilers and action necessary if water level is abnormal 7. recognition of boiler water contamination 8. action in the event of scavenge fire/ crankcase mist alarm 2. Operate Main and Auxiliary machinery and Associated Control systems 1. working principles of main propulsion and auxiliary machinery 2. preparation of main propulsion and auxiliary machinery for sea 3. operation of machinery and plant in engine and boiler rooms 4. operation of auxiliary boilers, including combustion system 5. location of common faults in machinery and plant in engine and boiler rooms and action necessary to prevent damage 6. routine pumping operations of bilge, ballast, fuel oil, diesel oil, lubricating oil, fresh water and cargo ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC AND CONTROL ENGINEERING 1. Operate Alternators, Generators and Control systems 1. preparation, starting, coupling and changing over of alternators and generators 2. location of common faults in generating plant and appropriate action to prevent damage 3. location of common faults in control systems and appropriate action to prevent damage MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR 1. Maintain marine engineering systems 1. safe isolation of electrical and other plant and equipment in preparation for work to be carried out, work permit systems 2. use of appropriate tools for fault finding, maintenance and repair of shipboard plant equipment 3. constructional details of machinery and plant in engine and boiler rooms CONTROL THE OPERATION OF THE SHIP AND CARE FOR PERSONS ON BOARD 1. Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements 1. precautions to be taken to prevent pollution of the environment 2. use of oily water separator 3. restricted areas, oil record book, disposal of pollutants 4. action in response to a pollution incident on board 2. Maintain seaworthiness of the ship 1. general knowledge of the principal structural members of a ship and the proper names for the various parts 2. understand the fundamentals of water tight integrity of the hull 3. understanding of the fundamental actions to be taken in the event of partial loss of intact buoyancy 3. Prevent, Control and Fight fires on board 1. fire prevention, use and care of fire-fighting appliances, fixed machinery
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space installations, escape and breathing apparatus 2. appropriate action in response to fires on board, within and external to machinery spaces, shut-down and isolation of plant and equipment 3. organisation of emergency parties and drills 4. fire and safety plans 4. Operate life-saving appliances 1. correct use of life saving appliances and equipment 2. organisation of abandon ship drills 5. Legislative requirements 1. the purpose of MCA Merchant shipping notices, Marine Guidance notices and Marine Information notes 2. knowledge and application of the Code of Safe working practices for Merchant seaman 3. an outline knowledge of merchant shipping health and safety at work regulations 4. basic working knowledge of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and of the SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW Conventions

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