Watch Keeping at sea for Marine Engineers | Step-by-step

Watch keeping is an integral part of marine engineer’s duties on board ship. The technicians perform tasks and routines for monitoring the ship's engine room. The clocks are divided into three periods of four hours and the following work must be carried out and checks carried out at sea.

• Check the colour of  exhaust emission from funnel.
• Check the Economizer temperatures, pressure drop and the system for any leakage.
• Check the oil fired boiler water level, blow through gauge glass and check pressure.
• Check the boiler circulating pump for operating pressure, vibration, noise, gland leakage and bearing oil level.
• Check and confirm normal operation of incinerator if running.
• Check the waste oil tank level and temperature, drain off water.
• Check Main & Aux. engine header tank levels, if they require filling record the quantity of water added.
• Check the temperatures and pressure of the fuel valve cooling system. Examine the level of the F. V. C  header tank, check for contamination and confirm through flow.
• Check stern tube header tank level, return flow, sump, pump and oil condition.Examine M. E cylinder tops for leakage, movement, overheating and any temperature or pressure outside the normal parameters.
• Check for exhaust gas leaks.Examine turbo charger oil levels, pump operation, temperatures, pressures and differentials, whilst checking also for any unusual noise or vibration.
• Monitor air cooler pressure drop, and ensure Makers operating parameters are adhered to with regard to dew point temperature.
• Check cylinder oil day tank level and individual lubricators for level, flow and function.
• Check all bunker fuel tanks for level, temperature and drain for water.
• Check fuel fine filter differential.Examine fuel pumps for leakage or unusual noises.Ensure oil mist detector is functioning correctly and test alarm.
• Check ME governor oil level and fuel pump racks.
• Examine auxiliary blower if running and scavenge belt to ensure that scavenge and air cooler drains are clear.
• Feel over scavenge belt.Test air line drains for water.
• Check all standby pumps are on auto mode and ready to start.
• Check air compressor  oil level, and the temperatures and pressures whilst  running.
• Check fresh water generator for normal operation & also chemical dosing to feed line.
• Check sewage treatment plant for normal operation.
• Examine A/E and check all running parameters are within limits. Fuel leakage, non fitting of double skin pipes and removed  protection or insulation from exhaust manifolds to be rectified immediately .
• Check A/E bilge’s for leakage.
• Confirm that an alternator engine is on standby in the control room and that the L. O priming pumps are on Auto.
• Checking drinking and domestic water hydrophore systems for levels, and leakage. Ensure that the Calorifier, circulating pump and UV Sterilizer are operating satisfactorily.
• Examine boiler feed water system for normal pump operation and check the cascade tank for temperature and level. Also check that there is no hot well contamination with fuel oil due fuel oil heating coil leaks.
• Examine air reservoirs and check the drains for water, ensure that control and service air reducing valves are functioning correctly and that the control air dehydrator is operating normally.
• Examine the purifier room for leakage, ensure that running purifiers and operating normally with regard to oil levels, flow rates, temperatures and pressures. 
• Ensure lowest throughput for L O purifiers.Check Calorifier.
• Examine Booster pumps, flow-meter and heaters for normal operation without leakage.
• Ensure that all main engine pumps are running normally and that standby pumps are ready for Auto operation.
• Check HFO Serv & Sett tanks levels and temp. Drain off water.
• Check all running purifiers for normal operation. Check gear case oil level, Separated Oil temperature and feed rate, motor load etc.
• Skim off sludge from recycle tank.
• Check F. O booster p/p, check F. O temperature.
• Check JCW pump and motor for normal operation.
• Check M/E Lubricating Oil Pressure (Bearing), X-Head Oil Pressure and Piston Cooling.Check piston cooler and L. O cooler in/out temp.
• Check sounding of all sludge tanks, bilge storage tanks, compare with previous sounding.
• Check M/E L O pump discharge filter Pressure drop.
• Check M/E L O pump/motor for normal operation.
• Check thrust bearing L. O temperature Fwd/Aft.
• Check E/R bilge level with special attention under the flywheel.
• Check L. O levels and temps of intermediate shaft bearings.
• Check stern tube L. O sump level, oil pressure, temp and return flow.
• Check M/E L. O sump sounding. compare with earlier soundings recorded.
• Check and confirm L. O purifier is operating normally note L. O temperature.
• Check piston cool leak off tank, open skimming v/v to skim off oil from top.
• Check piston cooling water tank level top up if required.
• Check and confirm main S. W p/p, motor and auxiliary  S. W pump/motor working normally.
• Check piston cooling p/p pressure and in/out temp of all units check flow.
• Check A/E load and winding temp. Do a function test on alarm panel. Reconfirm all running parameters of M/E and A/E.
• See the Chief Engineer’s standing instruction book and also notice board for daily instruction and guidance. Discuss with outgoing watch keeping engineer if there have been any special operations problems during his watch or any change in status of running machinery Function and lamp test of Alarm panel.
• Check no alarms are inhibited.Ensure no alarms indicating abnormal condition are active.
• Ensure air and water on deck shut if not required.
• Log down all parameters in log book
• Check for following hazards and rectify :-
• No Fuel, L. O or water  leaks.
• No loosely stowed equipment.
• Gas bottles shut and welding plant shut down.
• Fuel high pressure pipes for M/E & A /E’s secure and no leaks.
• No abnormal vibrations of any type.
• No water tight openings open unnecessary.
• Ensure that the welding equipment is off.Double check additional A/E on standby, and Emergency Generator on Auto.
• Double check M. E controls on Bridge and max speed limit set as per Chief Engineer’s instructions
• Check no alarms have been isolated, unless authorized by C/E and E/O. Note there are no existing alarm condition, unless a valid reason and C/E and E/O aware of.

WHEN IN DOUBT DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL CHIEF ENGINEER

---

Author Amit                                                                            

---