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QESTION 26

State the importance of maintaining log book records during a watch and vesselsstay at port. Elucidate the procedures involved relating to entries made for the

datas during watch-keeping. Which data record concerned with main engine you

find most important and why?

. Importance of maintaining log book records during a watch and vessels stay inport

i) The log book serves as a legal document in the event of an incident to prove thefunctioning of equipment.

ii) It serves as evidence of various requirements of different states regarding tests /

checks to be carried out prior arrival of their waters (These should be logged

accurately). For example steering check, safety items check etc.

iii) Recording of various parameters of machinery helps in identifying a trend. Anddeviation them normal parameters would point an impending breakdown of

machinery.

iv) Logging of the parameters terms an important part of the condition monitoring

process and hence plays a important role in the preventive maintenance.

v) Various L.O. and F.O. flowmeters are also recorded every watch so any abnormaldeviation will show some type of abnormality with the engine. For example higher

fuel oil consumption during watch shows abnormal load on engine.

vi) Last but not the least, it ensures that watch keepers take diligent care in checkingthe equipment / condition of machinery as they sighn the entries in the log book fortheir watch thereby taking responsibility of the watch.

Procedures relating to entries in the log book.

i) Entries to be made neatly clearly and legible.

ii) It there is any need for cancellation the previous entry is to be legible and

countersigned by the person carrying out the cancellation.

iii) As far as possible readings to be taken from the local instruments and not the

remote gages.

iv) Entries to be accurately made and filled in the relevant column / row.

v) All the entries relevant to the machine to be made as far as possible.

vi) Additional operations / incidents to be logged down in the reruns / column.

All operating parameters of operating machinery should be logged down in the

respective columns or spaces reserved for them. The flow meters should be logged down

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to enable calculation of consumptions other than the above C/E will log down following

after calculating.

F.O. consumption for M/E, A/E & Aux blr.

Engine rpm

Distance by engine observation

Propeller slip.

F.O. / L.O. / FW ROB

The most important parameter regarding M/E would be the main L.O. pressure.

Maintaining the L.O. pressure within the specified range would ensure proper

supply to the bearings sliding surfaces, thrust pads, pistons etc. If the L.O. pressure islower than what is required, starvation of oil would lead to damage to bearing chances of

hot spot and crankcase explosion. There by putting the main propulsion machinery out of

action.

Other than the above, the other parameters are

i) Exhaust temperatures.

These would indicate proper combustion

ii) Scavenge pressure and temperature

This data is also related to combustion process. Higher scavenge temp. shows

fouling of air cooler or in worst case blowpast through piston rings.

iii) T/C rmp.

This is important as it shows main engine load.

iv) Engine load (fuel index)

This is also a direct indication of M/E load.

v) Piston cooling oil temperatures.

This indicates any kind of overheating of unit. Also insufficient piston cooling oilflow will cause rise in oil temperature.

vi) Jacket water temperatures.