General

01 Major Certificates & Documents to Carry On Board The SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line, Tonnage, STCW, ILO and liability certificates and documents a surveyor expects you to name. Intermediate · 9 min read · 4 sections 02 The Saturday Routine: Planned Maintenance Checks The weekly, fortnightly and monthly emergency and safety-equipment checks every engineer performs, and who is responsible for each. Beginner · 7 min read · 4 sections 03 Dry-Docking: Preparation, Procedure & Survey What the engineer prepares months, days and hours before docking, what happens on the dock, and the survey and follow-up work. Intermediate · 8 min read · 4 sections 04 Bunkering & Oil Transfer: Precautions & Procedures The scuppers, hoses, signals and tank-changeover discipline that prevent a spill and a bad fuel problem. Intermediate · 7 min read · 4 sections 05 Conditions of Assignment of Freeboard The construction, openings, vents, scuppers, side scuttles, freeing ports and crew protection that must be met before a freeboard is assigned. Advanced · 9 min read · 4 sections 06 Why Oil Tankers Have Less Freeboard Fewer openings, more subdivision, low tank permeability, lighter cargo and powerful pumping — the reasons a tanker needs less reserve buoyancy. Intermediate · 6 min read · 4 sections 07 Safety on Oxygen & Acetylene Bottles Flashback arrestors, colour coding, right/left-hand threads and separate storage — the rules for oxy-acetylene equipment on board. Beginner · 6 min read · 4 sections 08 Tonnage Measurement: Gross & Net Tonnage The Tonnage Convention 1969, the GT and NT formulas, the deduction spaces and why tonnage drives regulation and port costs. Advanced · 8 min read · 4 sections 09 Load Line: Marks, Letters & Conventions The Plimsoll mark, TF/F/T/S/W/WNA letters, how the marks are derived, the Load Line Convention and why the mark is on both sides. Intermediate · 8 min read · 5 sections 10 Loadicator / Loading Computer The onboard loading computer that proves adequate stability, allowable stresses and draughts before the ship sails. Intermediate · 6 min read · 4 sections 11 Difference Between Audit and Survey A survey checks the hardware; an audit checks the system, procedures and records behind it. Beginner · 5 min read · 4 sections 12 Emergency Generator: Testing & Requirements Two starting modes, the weekly/monthly test schedule, battery/hydraulic/automatic start procedures and the stored-energy rules. Intermediate · 9 min read · 4 sections 13 Starting Air Compressors, Receivers & Air Bottle Safety Two compressors, the 15-to-25 bar in 30 minutes rule, the 12/6-start capacity and the mountings that keep an air bottle safe. Intermediate · 7 min read · 4 sections 14 MGPS — Marine Growth Prevention / Anti-Fouling System How copper and aluminium anodes use electrolysis to stop marine growth and corrosion in the sea water cooling system. Intermediate · 7 min read · 4 sections 15 Quick Closing Valve: Construction & Working The remote spring-loaded valve that shuts off fuel in an emergency, and how it differs from a pressure relief valve. Intermediate · 6 min read · 4 sections 16 How to Measure the Depth of the Ship (Echo Sounder) The echo sounder measures depth from the time a sound wave takes to travel to the seabed and back: S = V × T. Beginner · 6 min read · 4 sections 17 New Amendments (1 January 2013): SOLAS & MARPOL The 2013 amendments: lifeboat on-load release hooks, EEDI/SEEMP energy efficiency, the US Caribbean ECA and the revised garbage rules. Intermediate · 8 min read · 4 sections 18 Ship Accommodation, Midship Section & Container Stowage Knowing your ship's particulars, the midship section, TEU/FEU container sizes and tare, net and gross weights. Beginner · 7 min read · 4 sections 19 Rudder: Construction, Types & Support How a rudder is built, the balanced/semi-balanced/spade types, and how it is supported and prevented from lifting. Intermediate · 8 min read · 4 sections 20 Fuel Consumption & Speed Relationship Why fuel burn climbs with the cube of speed — specific fuel consumption, the fuel coefficient, and daily consumption. Intermediate · 7 min read · 3 sections 21 Maritime Codes & Conventions: The Complete List The codes and conventions every marine engineer must name — and what each abbreviation actually stands for. Beginner · 7 min read · 4 sections 22 STCW: The Convention & Its Eight Chapters What STCW stands for and the eight chapters that set the training, certification and watchkeeping standard for seafarers. Beginner · 5 min read · 3 sections