Few basics every Fourth Engineers must know

If u are smart fourth engineer,then your life on-board will be very cool.

But i know, 

most of the fourth engineers think that his rank is bit hectic.Its just all about your time and experience.

Hope this help you guys.

First and foremost : Keep your hands clean

   Mean to say , Be true to your senior  engineers.

   Dont hide anything.

    

If you are found to be a liar,thereafter you won't  be a trustworthy in whole ship.

Just be an open book in your profession. Dont keep any doubts.Get clear your doubts then and there. 

If you are in doubt,call the seniors .Always use your presence  of mind.

Last,but not the least.  DON'T BLAME OTHER.

Appearance and attitude 

   Keep in mind that you are an officer. No more trainee.Be clean,Be bold.Your behaviour has to be in the manner like an engineer in every place,all over the ship,not only in engine room. Your behaviour and appearance will pay you the respect throughout your contract. 

Duties of fourth engineer:

 Depends on company,minor changes will be there on duties.but,most of you guys will be looking after purifier,compressors, bunkers,soundings only.

In some companies 4e used to be in charge of generators.so i am covering the things what i know.i am not going in depth of specific maker.only ideas i am writing. 

Purifier:

  1. Please remember purifier is a high speed machinery. Minor mistake can lead to complete failure of the machinery.

 2.Read the manual,get clear the doubts and then go locally,check the spares available on-board ,identify each spare parts.

 3. Keep a copy of procedure manual while doing overhaul. Dont think that seniors will scold u.Rather than doing mistake,refer and do your job.

 4. If you face any difficulties of dismantling /assembling, dont hesitate to call the senior engineers.

 5. Always use correct tools.dont do any superman activities

 6.Don't make dirty around your work place.

 7. Keep all the small parts in a tray.after assembling ensure no spare parts are left in that tray.

 8.Keep your tools in perfect condition.keep all the tools in one place.If any tool is damaged,order for new one. A poor tool will spoil your mood while working ,thereby spoil your machinery. 

  9.Trying out after overhaul always to be done in front of senior engineers only.

Checks:

 1. Always check the purifier motor Amps.This is the reference,problem finding area.

 2. Observe the sound/ vibration of purifier. 

This two important things you have to check in every watch.

 3.Sludge discharge interval (Purifier sludge tank rise).This will indicate you whether purifier is leaking/overflowing. 

Understanding the concepts :

 If some one says,purifier  is leaking- it's  oil leakage in bowl.the cylinder  is not closed fully or main seal ring need to change.

 On other hand overflow is different. This will happen on top.Oil will come out from top due to defective  o ring,lost of interface or high back pressure.

Check the sludge port and confirm whether  oil is coming from top(overflow) or coming out from bowl sideways (leak).  

Get clear in your troubleshooting before  proceeding to the work.Uncleared ideas always could mislead into unnecessary work,wastage of time. Go for smart work.

Do not throttle the purifier heater steam inlet valves to maintain  the temperature if your automatic valve is malfunctioning. This could  lead to leaking of that steam inlet valve all the time after some periods .Keep the steam inlet valve full open while running the purifier. To control the temperature, operate the automatic temperature control vave manually, by rotating its handle clockwise/counter clockwise .

Don't stop the purifier  frequently. Continuous operations of a purifier is appreciable.

Stick to the maker prescribed routine maintenance. This will keep your baby healthy.

Routines to be done on purifier:

1. Renew the gearcase oil once in 1000 hrs/makers running hrs.whichever is earlier. Keep in mind, oil is like a blood for any machinery. 

         Emty the gear case , clean it.check the gears,shafts visually.