To gain a deeper understanding of the engine room and its operations, I, Deck Cadet Hilario, offered to swap roles with the engine cadet for a day during departure and arrival as part of our Training Record Book activity.
As I entered the engine room, hot air from the machinery greeted me. When I entered the control room, the engineers welcomed me with a smile, and we began with a familiarization of the controls and the computers they use to monitor pressure, temperature, and power. Despite the machinery's complexity, 2nd Engineer Lanzar, along with 3rd Engineer Laserna and 4th Engineer Valiente, carefully and patiently explained the layout and functions of each part.
I was also taught how to start various shipboard functions such as the main and auxiliary engines. Under the guidance of the engineers, I was able to start the engine.
When I was at the bridge assisting Captain Tongol and the duty mates, we conducted pre-departure and arrival checklists and tests. The engineers were also conducting tests and were the ones assisting the bridge team in making the tests successful. The first test we performed was the steering gear test. According to class requirements, the time taken for the rudder to move from hard port to hard starboard, or vice versa, should be less than 28 seconds.
On the engineer’s side, with the help of the ETO, we monitored the standby start of the pumps, which means if one pump trips, the other should automatically start. This also includes checking safety alarms, such as the low oil level alarm and the low-pressure alarm, to ensure they are functioning properly.
After the steering gear test, the engineers were on standby, and we received a call from the bridge to start the main engine. Before starting the main engine, we performed a blow start. There’s a button called 'slow turn' in the engine control, which I pressed, and I heard a blowing noise. Then I pressed it again to stop the blowing of the main engine.
The purpose of the blow start system is to remove any debris or dirt buildup that may have accumulated in the main engine during a long port stay, to prevent engine damage.
After this, the engineers conducted a close test-cock (Main Engine Performance Test, or MPR). The main engine passed the test, and there were no leaks, so we proceeded to start the engine by using the telegraph, moving from 0 to run, and then up to the maximum RPM. While the engine was running, we monitored the parameters, including exhaust temperature, lube oil temperature and pressure, fuel pressure and temperature, main engine cooling temperature and pressure, and turbocharger temperature.
All parameters were okay, so we transferred control to the bridge, allowing the bridge team to test the astern and ahead functions of the main engine.
After starting the main engine, we checked the available power using the computer monitoring system to ensure there was sufficient power. Upon checking, we needed to run an extra generator to have sufficient power for the five power packs and to start the bow thruster for vessel maneuvering.
Once the power was sufficient, we gave the signal to the bridge that they could now run the power packs and start the bow thruster. After that, we monitored the hydraulic pressure.
Throughout the day, I explored different parts of the engine room, learning about various systems and observing the duty engineers as they conducted their routine checks and maintenance tasks. This experience provided me with a valuable opportunity to learn about the engine room and the duties performed by the engine cadets. I gained a deeper understanding of the complexity and importance of the engine room operations involved in running a ship's engine. This knowledge will surely benefit my future career as an officer.
This experience also reinforced the importance of teamwork and communication between the engine room and the bridge team. The engineers' willingness to share their expertise and guide me through the process demonstrated the collaborative nature of their work. It emphasized the crucial role that teamwork plays in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the vessel.
