Class 2 (2nd Engineer) MEKM 📅 Oct 2018

Exam Question

Whilst operating in heavy weather the main engine loses power and misfires. Investigation shows considerable quantities of water in the fuel.

(a) State, with reasons, the immediate action you as Second Engineer would take to ensure the safe operation of the main engine.

(b) State, with reasons, the possible places where water could enter the fuel system.

(c) State, with reasons, the standing instructions you as Second Engineer would issue with respect to the operation of the fuel system in order to prevent major problems due to water in the fuel.

Reference Answer

(a) When a considerable quantity of water has been found in fuel, this could be due to the movement of the vessel due to heavy weather, which might have disturbed the water lying in the bottom of the service tank below the suction and caused it to mix with the oil in the lower part of the service tank.
Drain the settling and service tanks frequently to remove accumulated water.
Run two purifiers in series at minimal throughput to maximise water separation from the fuel.
If high and low suction points are available in the service tank, change over to the high suction line to avoid drawing water from the lower layers of the tank.

Full answer on MeoMock — surveyor-grade reference answers for 7,000+ written exam questions.

View plans Browse library

← Browse more questions

Prepare on Android — MeoMock on Google Play