2 MAJOR PARTS OF EFFECTIVE MARINE ENGINE REPAIRS DONE ON BOARD A SHIP

Efficiently repairing marine engines is one of the most important tasks carried onboard a ship. It involves repairing and carrying out routine maintenance tasks on the marine engine of the ship.

The repairs are generally carried out by marine engine mechanics, famously known as marine engineers.

Marine engine parts need to be checked on a regular basis to avoid breakdown or heavy loss caused by ships going off charter. Marine engine repairs are carried out by the marine engineer as per his basic understanding of the machine, sound troubleshooting knowledge, and correct techniques used for testing and overhauling.

Moreover, there are several agencies around the world that provide services for marine engine repairs, which cannot be done by marine engineers on board the ship due to a lack of special equipment and manpower. Some examples of heavy maintenance of marine engine repairs are metal stitching or metal locking, recondition of the piston, honing of liners, etc.

When we talk about marine engine repairs, they not just include maintenance and repair work on the mechanical parts of the engines but also include repairs on various electrical equipment as well. Thus, marine engine repair is categorized into two parts – electrical and mechanical.

For an effective performance of the marine engine and in order to prevent the breakdown of the same proper procedures are to be followed as described in the manuals. Marine engine repairs have to be done at specific running hours as described in the planned maintenance system of the ship.

Onboard a ship there is a team of marine engineers or marine mechanics, along with crew ratings such as motorman, oiler, fitter, etc. to carry out the work of marine engine repairs.

The team of engineers includes the chief engineer, second engineer, third engineer, and fourth engineer. Chief and second engineers are management-level officers, whereas third and fourth engineers are operational-level engineers.

The chief engineer looks after different surveys that are to be carried out on the marine engine and also plans out when they are to be carried out. The second engineer plans the marine engine repair work that is pending or scheduled to be due soon.

The second engineer also looks after the main engine and different pumps in the engine room. The fourth engineer looks after the repairs of compressors and purifiers whereas the third engineer looks after the boiler and auxiliary engines along with the help of crew ratings.

For electrical equipment, the repairs are carried out by a separate dedicated electrical engineer, who looks after various motors, batteries, print card electronics, etc.

For marine engine repair, the most important thing is to make available several sets of spare parts onboard the ship. If there is a shortage of any of these parts, then they need to be ordered by the respective engineer, who is looking after the particular machinery. Some special considerations also need to be given to emergency, safety, and lifesaving equipment.

Marine engineer also has to make sure that all the equipment are working fine without any problem. External agencies such as port state control and flag state will detain the ship if equipment like emergency generator, lifeboat engine, and firefighting system are not working properly. The agencies may fine the ship heavily for these abnormalities.

For this reason, proper checks and routine schedules have to be maintained to avoid unwanted circumstances related to marine engines onboard a ship.

Need maintenance of your marine engine (on/off-deck)? Let us help you today. We are certified experts. Call us on: (+234)706 247 6068 or visit www.ugpeotechnique.com