USCG Chief Engineer Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels (UFIV01)

In a four-stroke-cycle marine diesel engine, how many crankshaft revolutions are required to complete one full cycle in each cylinder?

• AOne revolution (360 degrees)
• BOne-half revolution (180 degrees)
• CThree revolutions (1080 degrees)
• DTwo revolutions (720 degrees)

What is the primary purpose of fuel injection timing on a marine diesel?

• ATo control jacket-water temperature
• BTo regulate scavenge-air volume
• CTo set the crank angle at which fuel begins to burn so peak pressure occurs shortly after…
• DTo set main-bearing lube-oil pressure

Gauge glasses on fuel oil tanks are fitted with spring-loaded self-closing cocks so that:

• AThe tank can be sounded without using a tape
• BA cracked or broken glass cannot drain the tank into the machinery space
• CFuel viscosity can be read directly at the glass
• DThe tank can be filled at a higher rate

Fuel is routed from bunker tanks through a settling tank before purification so that:

• AThe cetane number of the fuel is raised before use
• BFree water and heavy sediment can fall out under gravity and be drained off ahead of the…
• CAir can be introduced into the fuel to improve combustion
• DThe fuel can be cooled below its pour point for storage

The exhaust back-pressure limit given by an engine maker matters because excessive back pressure:

• AImproves scavenging and lowers exhaust temperature
• BImpedes removal of exhaust gas, raising exhaust temperature and cutting power
• CRaises the pressure held in the starting-air receivers
• DLowers the injection pressure delivered at the nozzle

White smoke from a diesel exhaust most often indicates:

• AOverfueling at high load
• BUnburned fuel or water vapor/steam in the exhaust
• CNormal operation after a long run
• DExcess turbo boost only

The purpose of a diesel engine turbocharger is to:

• ACool the lube oil
• BIncrease the mass of air delivered to the cylinders so more fuel can be burned
• CDrive the fuel injection pump
• DRegulate jacket-water flow

Jacket cooling water on a marine diesel primarily removes heat from the:

• AFuel day tank
• BCylinder liners, heads, and other hot engine metal
• CBilge wells
• DSteering gear rams

Main engine lubricating oil's primary functions include:

• AScavenging the cylinders of exhaust gas
• BReducing friction, removing heat, and carrying away wear particles
• CProviding injection pressure for the fuel pumps
• DSealing the turbocharger exhaust casing

Starting air systems for large diesels commonly use compressed air at roughly:

• A5–10 psig only
• B25–40 bar (about 350–600 psig) range depending on engine design
• CAtmospheric pressure through a blower
• DSteam from the exhaust boiler

If the turning (jacking) gear is left engaged, the engine typically:

• AStarts normally on air but will not fire
• BCannot rotate freely and may be prevented from starting
• COverheats the jacket water immediately
• DIncreases fuel rack automatically

Mean effective pressure (MEP) is best described as:

• AThe maximum peak firing pressure only
• BA theoretical constant pressure that would produce the same work as the actual cycle
• CThe lube-oil gallery pressure
• DThe turbocharger boost pressure

A diesel engine will not start when starting air is admitted, air pressure is normal, and the distributor appears to work. The most likely cause is:

• ACooling expansion tank slightly low
• BTurning gear still engaged
• CDay-tank fuel viscosity slightly high
• DCrankcase oil slightly above the high mark

Advancing fuel injection timing too far typically causes:

• ALower peak pressure and cooler exhaust
• BHigher peak pressure, more mechanical stress, and possibly knocking
• CImmediate loss of all turbo boost
• DJacket water freezing

Retarding injection timing excessively tends to:

• ARaise peak pressure sharply
• BIncrease incomplete combustion, higher exhaust temperature, and black smoke risk
• CEliminate the need for a governor
• DRaise scavenge pressure automatically

Oil mist in a diesel crankcase is dangerous primarily because it can:

• AImprove bearing lubrication
• BForm an explosive mixture and lead to crankcase explosion
• CCool the piston crowns
• DReduce cylinder liner wear

If oil-mist detection or a hot bearing is suspected on a main engine under way, the chief engineer should first:

• AOpen all crankcase doors for inspection while at full speed
• BSlow or stop the engine as procedure requires and keep crankcase doors closed until safe
• CIncrease fuel rack to burn off mist
• DBypass the lube-oil filters

A charge-air cooler (intercooler) after a turbocharger primarily:

• AHeats the air to improve ignition
• BCools compressed air to increase density and oxygen mass for combustion
• CRemoves fuel from the air stream
• DActs as the main engine oil cooler

Fouled turbocharger compressor or air filters typically cause:

• ALower exhaust temperature and clear exhaust
• BReduced air supply, higher exhaust temperature, and black smoke under load
• CHigher peak cylinder pressure with clean burn
• DAutomatic overspeed of the governor

Cylinder oil for a large two-stroke crosshead engine is primarily used to:

• AFill the sump to the high mark only
• BLubricate and protect the liner and rings against wear and corrosion
• CDrive the turbocharger turbine
• DPrime the bilge pump

A stuck open diesel injector nozzle can cause:

• ACooler exhaust from that cylinder
• BOverfueling of that cylinder, high exhaust temperature, and possible wash-down of liner o…
• CAutomatic shutdown of the starting air system only
• DLoss of jacket-water flow

When paralleling operational risk and main-engine management on a fishing vessel, a chief engineer prioritizes which response to a sustained high lube-oil temperature alarm?

• AIgnore if oil pressure is still in range
• BReduce load, verify cooler seawater/FW flow and cooler cleanliness, and investigate befor…
• CIncrease jacket-water temperature set point
• DOpen crankcase doors at full speed for cooling

Indicated horsepower (IHP) of a multi-cylinder diesel is commonly calculated from:

• AOnly the turbocharger RPM
• BMEP, cylinder dimensions, number of working strokes per minute, and number of cylinders
• COnly fuel rack percentage
• DOnly jacket-water outlet temperature

A fishing-vessel main engine is overloaded by a heavy net haul. As chief engineer you should:

• ADisable overspeed protection to keep RPM up
• BCommunicate with the bridge, reduce load/RPM as needed, and protect the plant from sustai…
• CClose the sea suction to raise engine room temperature
• DShut all fuel valves immediately without notice

High exhaust temperature on one cylinder with others normal most likely indicates:

• AGlobal turbocharger failure only
• BA local problem such as injector, valve, or compression issue on that cylinder
• CNormal equal load sharing
• DJacket-water system completely empty

The purpose of a diesel engine relief valve on the cylinder head is primarily to:

• ARegulate scavenge pressure continuously
• BRelieve excessive cylinder pressure that could damage the engine
• CMeter cylinder oil
• DDrive the fuel pump

A cracked cylinder liner allowing water into the combustion space may show:

• AOnly increased turbo boost
• BWhite smoke, water in the expansion tank behavior changes, and possible hydraulic lock on…
• CLower jacket-water level with no other symptoms ever
• DImproved fuel economy only

Fuel oil viscosity at the injectors is controlled primarily to ensure:

• AMaximum jacket-water temperature
• BProper atomization and spray pattern for complete combustion
• CMinimum turbocharger speed always
• DBilge dryness

Crosshead engines separate cylinder oil from system oil primarily because:

• AThey share the same sump always
• BCombustion products contaminate cylinder oil, while system oil lubricates bearings in a c…
• CCylinder oil is used only for turbochargers
• DRegulations ban all oil use in two-strokes

After a prolonged idle period on a fishing vessel, before loading the main engine hard you should:

• AImmediately go to full load to clear the stack
• BWarm the engine, verify oil and cooling parameters, and load gradually per procedure
• CDrain all starting air bottles completely
• DBypass all temperature alarms

A sudden drop in main engine lube-oil pressure at constant RPM most critically threatens:

• AOnly the paint in the engine room
• BBearing oil films and rapid bearing damage
• CIncreased scavenge efficiency
• DHigher fuel cetane number

If main engine oil pressure drops suddenly under load, the correct immediate action is typically to:

• AIncrease RPM to restore pressure
• BReduce load/stop per emergency procedure and investigate before restarting
• COpen the oil cooler seawater fully and continue full load
• DSwitch to heavier fuel only

A diesel engine overspeed trip is intended to:

• AHold constant load forever
• BShut off fuel (or take other trip action) if RPM exceeds a dangerous limit
• CIncrease injection quantity at high speed
• DBypass the governor permanently

On a dual-fuel or residual-capable plant (if fitted), changing fuel grades without proper temperature/viscosity control risks:

• AImproved atomization always
• BPoor combustion, injector damage, and filter problems
• CAutomatic compliance with MARPOL Annex V
• DElimination of purifier need

A liferaft's hydrostatic release unit is fitted so that:

• AThe raft can only be launched by hand from the working deck
• BThe raft floats free and inflates if the vessel sinks before anyone can launch it
• CThe raft stays secured to the vessel at any depth
• DThe raft cannot inflate accidentally in heavy weather

A fire in the galley range exhaust ducting aboard a fishing vessel is best attacked by:

• AOpening the duct and playing a solid water stream into it
• BSecuring the range and its ventilation, then applying the fixed galley system or a suitab…
• CIncreasing exhaust fan speed to blow the fire out
• DLeaving it to burn the grease out of the duct

Class C fires involve:

• ACooking oils in deep fryers only
• BEnergized electrical equipment
• COrdinary trash only
• DCombustible metals only

Before releasing a fixed CO2 total-flooding system into an engine room, you must:

• ALeave ventilation running at full speed
• BEvacuate personnel, seal the space, and secure ventilation as procedure requires
• COpen all doors for observation
• DSpray water into the CO2 bottles

MARPOL Annex I machinery-space bilge discharge through an oily water separator must not exceed:

• A100 ppm oil content
• B15 ppm oil content
• C500 ppm oil content
• DNo limit outside special areas

The fire control plan posted aboard a vessel is provided to:

• ARecord each crew member's firefighting training certificates
• BShow fire stations, detection and extinguishing systems, boundaries, and means of access…
• CList the vessel's fuel consumption by voyage
• DTake the place of onboard fire drills

A rose box (bilge suction strainer) in a machinery-space bilge well is fitted to:

• AIncrease the suction lift the bilge pump can achieve
• BKeep rags, scale, and loose debris out of the bilge pump and its valves
• CMeasure the oil content of the bilge water
• DStop seawater from entering the bilge

SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) provides:

• AFiltered outside air only
• BAn independent supply of breathable air for the wearer
• COxygen generation from seawater
• DPermanent free access to any space without procedures

Before entering a closed space such as a void or tank, the correct approach is to:

• AEnter alone quickly to save time
• BVentilate, test atmosphere, use permit procedures, and have rescue arrangements ready
• CRely only on smell to detect hazards
• DLeave the space sealed and enter without testing

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is used primarily to:

• AIncrease machinery speed
• BIsolate energy sources so equipment cannot start during maintenance
• CBypass safety valves
• DRecord ORB entries

Oily rags must be stowed in a covered metal container mainly because they can:

• AAbsorb enough oil to become explosive under pressure
• BSelf-heat by slow oxidation of the oil and ignite with no external spark
• CCorrode the deck plating they are stowed on
• DAttract static charge from the ventilation system

Foam firefighting agents are especially effective on:

• AClass D metal fires as first choice always
• BClass B flammable liquid fires by blanketing and excluding air
• CEnergized high-voltage panels while still powered
• DCombustible metals underwater only

If the oily water separator 15 ppm monitor alarms and trips discharge, the correct action is to:

• ABypass the monitor and continue overboard
• BStop overboard discharge, investigate, and ensure only legal discharge or retain onboard
• CIncrease bilge pump speed through the OWS
• DReset without investigation at night