SYLLABUS 1 CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY AS CHIEF ENGINEER OFFICER (Examination Syllabus) THERMODYNAMICS Thermodynamic Systems Define and apply the fundamental concepts of thermodynamic properties to a system; solve problems involving closed and open systems. Thermodynamic Process Define and apply the fundamental properties of thermodynamics to a process; solve related problems. Heat Engine Cycles Discuss the concept of heat engine cycles; solve related problems. Internal combustion Engine Performance Discuss internal combustion engines and engine performance; solve related problems. Reciprocating Air Compressors Discuss and describe the design and use of reciprocating air compressors; solve related problems. Combustion Discuss the principles of combustion of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels by mass and by volume in terms of air requirement, excess air and products of combustion; solve related problems. Heat Transfer Discuss the principles of heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation; solve related problems; consider problems involving heat exchangers and insulation. Properties of Steam and Steam Cycles Understand constant pressure steam formation and the use of thermodynamic property tables and charts; solve related problems by calculation and use of tables and charts. Nozzles and Steam Turbines Understand the use of steam as a working medium and discuss its behaviour during flow through nozzles under equilibrium conditions; solve related problems. Refrigeration Understand the concept of the reverse heat engine cycle and its application to refrigeration plant; understand the concept of the heat pump; discuss the properties of common refrigerants; flash chambers; solve related problems. 59
APPLIED MECHANICS Vector Representation Understand the use of vectors for graphical solutions; solve problems involving coplanar-concurrent, coplanar non-concurrent and non-coplanar concurrent vector quantities. Statics Understand the conditions of equilibrium of a body subject to a system of coplanar and non-coplanar forces and/or moments; apply the conditions of equilibrium to solve relevant practical problems; solve related problems; discuss laws of conservation of energy and momentum. Friction Discuss the effects of friction between relatively moving rigid bodies; apply these principles to solve problems involving horizontal and inclined surfaces; consider linear and circular motion. Kinematics Solve problems involving linear, angular and relative motion; solve related problems by analytical and/or graphical methods. Dynamics Apply the laws of motion to translational and rotational dynamics; discuss centripetal and centrifugal effects and solve related problems; discuss and solve problems involving simple harmonic motion; static and dynamic balancing. Machines Understand the law of machines; discuss the principles involved in the determination of movement ratio for geared mechanisms; solve related problems. Strength of Materials Understand and discuss the principles and terminology used in relation to the strength of materials; complex stresses; discuss the effects of temperature change on the physical dimensions and properties of materials and components; discuss shear force and bending moments on simply supported beams and cantilevers; discuss the theory of simple bending; discuss the stability of axially loaded columns; discuss the theory of torsion for solid and hollow round sections and apply this to shafting and close coiled helical springs; discuss the concept of elastic strain energy; consider the concept of stresses on oblique planes of stressed material; solve problems in relation to all of the above. Hydrostatics Discuss Archimedes Principle and solve related problems; understand and discuss the principles relating to hydrostatic forces on immersed areas involving liquids of different densities and solve related problems. Hydrodynamics Discuss the principles relating to the steady flow of liquids and solve associated problems; solve problems relating to changes in momentum of liquids in motion. Mathematical Solutions of Control System Problems Discuss the principles involved in control engineering; derive equations; solve related problems. 60
MARINE ELECTROTECHNOLOGY Electric Circuit Principles Solve linear and non-linear DC circuit problems under steady-state and transient conditions; understand and discuss the operation of single-phase and three-phase AC circuits and solve related problems. Electronic Circuit Principles Understand and discuss the operation of junction diodes in rectification circuits; the operation of the Thyristor as a controlled rectifier; the function of a Zener Diode as a DC voltage stabilizer; the action of the transistor and its function as a switch and signal amplifying device. Generation Understand and discuss the principles of operation of a DC and AC generating machines; consider high voltage generation; discuss construction, materials, insulation classification and rating; protection systems. Distribution Discuss the typical arrangements for DC and AC distribution in marine applications; consider high voltage distribution systems; principles of operation of transformer; solve related problems. Utilization Understand and discuss the principles of operation and control of DC shunt, series and compound motors and AC single and three-phase induction motors; consider synchronous motors. NAVAL ARCHITECTURE AND SHIP CONSTRUCTION Simpson's Rule Apply Simpson's First Rule (including subdivided intervals) to the determination of second moments of area. Free Surface Effect Understand and discuss the principles and effects of free surface in liquids; derive equations to determine free surface effect; solve problems relating to the effect of free surface on transverse stability; understand the dynamic implications of free surface on internal structures; methods of limiting/reducing free surface effect. Stability Understand and discuss the principles of stability; stability at large angles of heel; stability of wall sided vessels; effect of hull form on stability; stability curves; inclining experiment; intact and damage stability; cargo operations; stability information supplied to ships; solve problems relating to stability. Trim Understand and discuss the effects on the end draughts of a vessel from the addition, removal, or longitudinal movements of small masses; use of hydrostatic data to determine end draughts; solve problems on the change in end draught of a box-shaped vessel due to bilging of different compartments; permeability of spaces; elements of ship design which are intended to reduce the effects of bilging. 61
Subdivision and survivability Understand and discuss the statutory requirements relating to subdivision for different vessel types; factor of subdivision; relevance of margin line; cross-flooding and down-flooding. Rudders Understand and discuss the forces acting on a vessel and rudder when helm is applied; consider rudder and stock design; heeling of vessel due to turning; solve related problems; discuss information to be recorded from ship's trials. Ship Resistance Understand and discuss the relationship between power requirements and the resistance in water at different speeds; discuss tank testing and use of models; relevance of hull form; relevance of wake; hull fouling effects; solve problems relating to determining power requirements for vessels of different hull forms operating at different speeds. Propellers Understand and discuss the principles relating to the design and construction of different propeller types; consider fixed and variable pitch screw propellers and vane propellers; discuss the causes and effects of cavitation of different types; discuss wake energy recovery systems and methods to improve propeller efficiency. Ship Construction Understand and discuss the general design principles involved in hull and superstructure construction; discuss design and constructional features relating to different cargo containment systems; discuss the use and implications of different constructional materials; classification of materials; consider the effects of fatigue, low temperature and environmental factors; discuss the use of high tensile and low scantling materials; discuss protection systems for external and internal structures; discuss the incorporation and integration of different items of equipment into the vessel's structure; understand and discuss the fabrication, erection and treatment processes used in ship construction; discuss the various commissioning and testing programmes involved in new construction or following major repair. Ship Stresses Understand and discuss the various stresses to which a vessel's hull and structure is subject; outline design features to cater for such stresses; understand and discuss shearing forces and bending moments on hulls, interpret shearing force and bending moment diagrams and solve related problems. Vibration and Noise Understand and discuss the causes and effects of vibration on ship structures; outline the possible risks from vibration; discuss the problems associated with noise generation and propagation within ship structures; discuss measures to minimise the effects of vibration and noise. Structural Fire Protection Understand and discuss the statutory requirements in relation to structural fire protection of different vessel types; classification of fire zones, bulkheads and decks; construction of fire resisting bulkheads and decks; standard fire test; approval of materials; openings and penetrations in bulkheads and decks; protection of stairways and escape routes. Statutory Certification and Classification Understand the relevance of Loadline, Safety Construction, Passenger and other Statutory Certificates in the construction of a vessel; discuss "conditions of Assignment"; understand the role of the 62
Administration and the function of Recognised Organisations to whom authority might be delegated; obligation to report deficiencies; understand the constructional features of life-saving appliances; discuss the constructional features of ships relating to environmental protection requirements; understand and discuss the statutory certification relating to the operation of a ship. ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE General Notes: The General Knowledge section of the examination for the issue of a certificate of competency as Chief Engineer Officer will be divided into written and oral sections. Certificates of Competency as Chief Engineer Officer may be issued in Steam, Motor or combined Steam and Motor. Candidates for the Steam examination will not be required to demonstrate familiarity with main diesel propulsion engines but will be expected to be familiar with auxiliary diesel engine plant and systems. Similarly, candidates for the motor examination will not be required to demonstrate familiarity with main steam propulsion systems but will be expected to be familiar with auxiliary steam plant and systems. The engineering knowledge to be shown by candidates is that which is required to ensure that those areas under the responsibility of the Chief Engineer Officer are managed in such a way as to ensure the safety and security of the ship and prevention of pollution of the marine environment. This includes the use, operation, maintenance of relevant machinery and equipment throughout the vessel, all relevant operational procedures, compliance with statutory obligations, management and record keeping. A thorough knowledge of the legal and managerial responsibilities of the Chief Engineer Officer will be required. Candidates may be required to illustrate their written answers by means of sketches. Oral examination: The oral examination will include questions on the operation and management of boilers, main and auxiliary machinery; support systems and equipment; electrical machinery and systems; control systems; environmental concerns; safety related installations, equipment and procedures; actions in event of different emergency/breakdown situations; general maintenance procedures; specific overhaul/repair procedures; routine ship practice. Candidates will be required to demonstrate a good working knowledge of Irish and International maritime legislation relating to safety at sea and pollution prevention. In addition, they must be familiar with relevant legislation relating to keeping safe engineering watches at sea and in port, the obligations to personnel working on board, the relevant codes of safe working practice, carriage of dangerous goods, STCW Convention and ISM and ISPS Code implications. Candidates should be well acquainted with significant marine accidents or casualties especially those related to machinery space operations or general ship operations in which the Second Engineer Officer, or personnel from whom he is responsible, may play a significant role. Candidates must be aware of how such accidents might be prevented. 63
GENERAL ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE In general, the engineering knowledge syllabus for the examination for the certificate of competency as Chief Engineer Officer is similar to that for the Second Engineer Officer, as outlined below, but to a higher standard. Properties and characteristics of metals, materials, liquids, gases and vapours used in marine engineering. Processes to which the component parts of machinery are submitted or which are incidental to their manufacture and use. Installation and alignment of machinery; connection to prime movers; belt, gear, fluid and flexible drive systems. Design and construction details, principles of operation, manner of attachment to ship or incorporation into ship structures or systems of different items of marine machinery or equipment. General marine instrumentation, sensing and monitoring devices used in typical marine engineering applications. Different types of pumps and associated systems. Storage, transfer, treatment, purification, filtration, and general handling of fuel and lubricating oils. Piping systems in general; materials and construction; valve types; expansion arrangements. Distribution systems including, steam, bilge, ballast, fire, cooling media, fuel, lubricating and hydraulic oils, air and gases; Arrangements of ship side or skin fittings, injection chests, prevention of fouling in piping systems. Fluid heating systems; steam and thermal oil systems; arrangements within tanks. Propulsion transmission systems; gearing; thrust blocks; clutches; shafting and bearings. Sterngear arrangements; sterntubes; fixed and variable pitch propellers, azimuthing propellers, vane propellers, methods of improving propeller efficiency and recovering wake energy. Principles of lubrication; properties of lubricants; synthetic lubricants; additives; biological contamination; purification, clarification and treatment of lubricants. Steering machinery; stabilising systems; thrusters. Refrigeration machinery, air conditioning and ventilation systems. Fresh water production, storage and conditioning systems. Gas turbines in marine applications 64
Deck machinery and cargo handling systems. Sanitary and sewage systems. Boiler water level gauges, boiler mountings, safety valves and any test or operational procedures associated with these items, testing and certification. Auxiliary steam systems; boilers; steam distribution and utilisation; general feed water systems; boiler water treatment. Auxiliary steam equipment, turbo-alternators, turbo-pumps, different condensing systems. Air compressors, air receivers, air filtration and drying systems. Constructional details of alternators, generators, motors, switchgear, batteries. Earthing of low and high voltage alternators. Electrical distribution systems, switchboards, transformers, cabling, fuses, circuit breakers, protective devices and trips. Earthing of high and low voltage systems. Safety with HV systems. Steering gear electric circuits. Allocation of work on HV equipment with reference to personnel training. Emergency generators, batteries, switchboards and consumers; direct and supplementary emergency lighting. Marine electrical motors propulsion systems Inert gas systems; generation and distribution; safety devices and operation. Construction and operation of power operated watertight doors and their control systems. Construction, operation and maintenance of life-saving appliances; different types of lifeboats; liferafts; marine escape systems; various launching appliances. Design and construction of fixed and portable fire extinguishing appliances and systems; fixed gas smothering installations; water spray, sprinkler and drencher systems; emergency fire pump and firemain arrangements. Structural fire protection; classification of insulation ratings; designation of fire zones; standard fire test; constructional details of insulated bulkheads and decks; fire rated penetrations in structures for the passage of cables, pipes, ducting; fire-doors and shutters. Requirements for escape routes, photoluminescent strip lighting and signs. Fire detection systems; different detectors; addressable systems. Inspection of the vessel in drydock. Arrangements for prevention of pollution of the marine environment; oily-water separator; incinerators; garbage management; sludge disposal; treatment of cargo residue; atmospheric emissions, sewage pollution, antifouling. 65
Operational safety matters. Operation, testing and fault rectification of automatic control systems, alarm panels and instrumentation. Safe and efficient operation in the U.M.S. mode. Procedures to be adopted for operating main machinery under emergency conditions. Safe and efficient operation of electrical generation plant; paralleling and disconnecting alternators and generators; switchboards. Testing electrical distribution systems, switchboards, transformers, cabling, fuses, circuit breakers, protective devices and trips. Earthing of high and low voltage systems. Safety with HV systems. Steering gear electric circuits. Operational practice and fault finding associated with AC and DC electrical systems. Management of pumping operations to minimise stability implications. Safe working practice, familiarity with relevant codes, overhauling machinery, safety in workshop practice, use of welding and burning equipment, personal protective equipment, lifting and rigging equipment, entering and testing tanks or enclosed spaces. Precautions against fire or explosion, explosive mixtures, danger of oil leakages or spillages, sources of ignition, safety devices, measuring instruments. Awareness of toxic and other dangerous materials typically in use in marine engineering practice; cleaning and treatment chemicals; carriage of dangerous goods. Practical fire prevention, detection and extinction throughout the ship; testing and operation of fixed and portable fire extinguishing appliances and systems; use of firemens outfits, including breathing apparatus; testing of fire detection and alarm systems; planning effective fire drills; prevention of spread of fire, boundary cooling. Management, control and organisation of response in emergency situations; fire and damage control; ventilation management; emergency evacuation; treatment of injured personnel. Preparation of the vessel for entering drydock; procedures before, during and after drydocking. Actions required in the event of grounding or collision. Measure to prevent pollution of the marine environment; good housekeeping; compilation of oilrecord book; action in event of pollution incident; use of Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP), garbage management, sewage pollution prevention, air pollution prevention. Design and construction of exhaust systems; heat recovery arrangements; emission controls and arrangements; catalytic converters. Knowledge and familiarity with the use of computers for marine engineering applications. 66
Knowledge and understanding of International Conventions and certification required by vessels, including ISM and ISPS. Knowledge and understanding of the survey requirements for annual and renewal survey. In addition to those general engineering topics, outlined in the syllabus above, the syllabus for Chief Engineer Officer will include the following topics: Responsibility and accountability of the Chief Engineer Officer in relation to the implementation of different Irish, EU, IMO and ILO statutory obligations; knowledge of the various international conventions relating to safety, security, pollution prevention, manning, certification, safe working practice ; reporting obligations. Management functions of the Chief Engineer Officer; planned maintenance; International Safety Management Code; STCW and ILO obligations. Ability to compile reports and communicate technical information in an effective manner. Knowledge and understanding of the use of IT in marine applications; appreciation of the use of computer aided design systems; use of word-processing and spreadsheets. Understanding of the requirements relating to continuous hull and machinery surveys; planning for surveys; interfacing with Administrations, classification societies, recognised organisations, port State control; obligations under port-state control regimes; statutory documentation and certification; keeping of adequate maintenance records. Determination of voyage needs; bunker reserves; manning requirements and ILO issues. Pre-planning for response to different emergency situations; evacuation of machinery spaces; use of total flooding systems; crankcase explosions; overspeeding incidents; boiler or steam related accidents; fire; flooding; oil-spillage; incompatibility of fuels; grounding or collision; different breakdown scenarios. Obligations in relation to shore or contract personnel working on board; additional safety precautions required in repair or drydock situations Adequate familiarity with the typical drawings used in relation to ship construction and marine engineering. Understanding of the different insurance and liability regimes and terminology; P & I Clubs. Inspection of vessel in drydock; typical repairs to hull, propeller, rudder, stabilizer or thruster structures; Inspection of paint systems. Inspection and maintenance of deck or cargo machinery, launching appliances for life-saving appliances, survival craft. Routine testing of emergency systems. 67
MAIN STEAM PROPULSION SYSTEMS. Main steam boilers; construction; superheaters; gas and steam air heaters; sootblowing; refractory materials; control and alarm systems; mountings and safety devices. Combustion theory and practice; air/fuel ratio; forced and induced fan systems; different atomization systems. Fuel systems related to different types of fuel. Main feed water systems; feed pumps; condensers; vacuum generation; extraction; de-aeration; chemical testing and treatment; contamination/leak detection. Main propulsion steam turbines; design and construction; drainage; expansion arrangements; safety devices; vibration monitoring. Main reduction gearing systems; design and construction; lubrication arrangements; safety devices and monitoring arrangements. Main steam plant construction and operation; efficiency; astern running; emergency procedures; raising steam from cold condition. MAIN MOTOR/DIESEL PROPULSION SYSTEMS. Main Diesel engines (trunk and crosshead types), design and construction of individual components, materials used. Starting and reversing systems; timing requirements and arrangements. Fuel oil, lubricating oil and cooling systems; conditioning and treatment systems. Turbocharging, supercharging, intercooling and scavenging systems. Measurement of power, indicator and peak pressure diagrams, adjustments. Control and alarm systems associated with automatic operation of a diesel plant. Safe and efficient operation of marine diesel engines. Safety devices and protection systems. Causes of and appropriate action in the event of scavenge fire, crankcase explosion, overspeeding, etc. Routine and emergency maintenance procedures; inspection of components; essential spare parts Gas turbines as propulsion units 68