Chief Engineer – Limited, Revision & Practice Exams

An important communication tool for managers is known as active listening. It helps better ensure that managers understand employees and that feedback is encouraged. What is active listening?

1. Active listening is when you maintain eye contact with the employee the whole time they are speaking.
2. Active listening is when you listen to an employee with undivided attention and not be distracted.
3. Active listening is when you make a response that states what you have heard from the employee. ✓
4. Active listening is when you allow the employee to finish what they are saying before speaking.

Resonant vibrations, which can cause machinery failure, occur when which of the following conditions happen?

1. The machinery is operated at the natural frequency with no external forces in play.
2. The natural frequency of the machinery is the same as the free vibration frequency.
3. A forced frequency is placed on a piece of operating machinery.
4. The frequency of an external vibration is the same as one of the natural frequencies of the machinery. ✓

Testing boiler water for chloride content will indicate the amount of __________.

1. total alkalinity in the water
2. methyl orange that should be added
3. phosphates present in the water
4. dissolved salts from sea contamination ✓

Carbon dioxide dissolved in boiler water is dangerous in a modern power boiler because the gas __________.

1. combines with oxygen to cause severe waterside scaling
2. breaks the magnetic iron oxide film inside boiler tubes
3. combines with sulfates to cause severe waterside pitting
4. forms carbonic acid which attacks the watersides ✓

What must you do before placing the jacking gear in operation on a main turbine unit?

1. Ensure that the main lube oil system is operating ✓
2. Ensure that the main saltwater circulating pump is operating
3. Ensure that the gland seal steam system is operating
4. Ensure that the condensate system is operating

An excess pressure governor would normally be used on a __________.

1. low-pressure propulsion turbine
2. main circulator pump
3. turbine-driven feed pump ✓
4. forced draft fan

Which of the following conditions would be the most probable cause for the 'low oil temperature after preheater' LED indicators, as shown in the illustration, to be illuminated? Illustration MO-0127

1. Too low a temperature in day tank.
2. Too high a temperature in settling tank.
3. Incorrect steam control valve setting. ✓
4. Improper steam trap selection.

Because of the close tolerances used in diesel engine fuel oil pumps, a worn plunger requires __________.

1. grinding the spare plunger to the barrel
2. replacing the plunger and the barrel ✓
3. highly polishing both the plunger and barrel
4. replacing plunger only

A variable capacity, pressure atomizing, fuel oil burner functions to __________.

1. maintain a constant fuel temperature
2. provide a wide range of combustion ✓
3. provide a constant fuel return pressure
4. maintain smokeless fuel oil atomization

Two functions of the compressor stator vanes include which of the following?

1. Direct air flow to each rotor stage at the correct angle and deliver air to the combustor at the correct velocity and pressure. ✓
2. Direct air flow to rotor blades at the correct angle and are shaped to cause a velocity increase and a pressure decrease.
3. Direct air flow to rotor blades at the correct angle and are shaped to produce a velocity increase and maintain a constant pressure.
4. Direct air flow to rotor blades at the correct angle and are shaped to maintain a constant velocity and produce a pressure increase.

Which of the following is an advantage of a single-shaft gas turbine engine compared to a split-shaft gas turbine engine?

1. Reversible
2. Fewer moving parts ✓
3. Lower starting torque
4. Better fuel economy

How is the lube oil supplied to each bearing in a gas turbine engine controlled?

1. Flow divider.
2. Lube oil pump.
3. Calibrated orifice. ✓
4. Regulating valve.

A reddish-colored oxide usually forms on which of the following metals?

1. Aluminum.
2. Chromium.
3. Magnesium.
4. Steel. ✓

The struts of the compressor front frame provide passages for all of the following mediums EXCEPT for which of the following?

1. Scavenge oil
2. Fuel oil ✓
3. Seal-pressurization air
4. Lube oil

Which of the following is the most likely cause for the main propulsion gas turbine engine tripping during start up?

1. High oil filter differential pressure.
2. Low sump oil level.
3. Failure to achieve the minimum rpm in a certain period of time. ✓
4. Inlet air ice detection.

In a compartment that has been completely flooded with water, the greatest pressure will be exerted __________.

1. along the top of the bulkhead
2. at a point that is one-third from the bottom of the bulkhead
3. along the bottom of any bulkhead ✓
4. at the vertical center of the bulkhead

Paints and solvents used aboard a vessel should be __________.

1. stowed safely at the work site until work is completed
2. covered with a fine mesh screen to protect from ignition sources
3. returned to the paint locker after each use ✓
4. drained into a common container after each use

Coast Guard regulations require a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan to be reviewed __________.

1. once a year ✓
2. once every two years
3. once every four years
4. once every five years

What statement is true concerning random access memory (RAM)?

1. RAM is non-volatile memory and the contents of RAM are lost when the power is removed.
2. RAM is volatile memory and the contents of RAM are lost when the power is removed. ✓
3. RAM is non-volatile memory and the contents of RAM are not lost when the power is removed.
4. RAM is volatile memory and the contents of RAM are not lost when the power is removed.

The area indicated by the letter "W", shown in the illustration is correctly termed the __________. Illustration MO-0112

1. closing chamber
2. parting chamber
3. upper sliding piston chamber
4. opening chamber ✓

Before combustion can occur, the combustion air must be delivered to the combustor at a high-pressure and low-velocity. High-velocity, low-pressure air is converted to high-pressure, low-velocity air at what part of a centrifugal type compressor?

1. Inlet plenum
2. Turning vanes
3. Diffuser ✓
4. Impeller

When conducting a borescope inspection, you must be aware of all of the following factors EXCEPT which?

1. The inspection areas and ports.
2. The limitations of your equipment.
3. The engineer’s experience. ✓
4. The internal reference points.

The wooden shoring shown in the illustration is bearing against the hatch coaming and is supporting a load in the direction indicated by the arrows. Which of the following statements is correct for this condition? Illustration SF-0018

1. Shore "A" will support the greatest load
2. Shore "A" will not slip under load
3. Shore "B" will support the load without it cracking ✓
4. Shore "B" will crack at the pointed end

The water in which a vessel floats provides vertical upward support. The point through which this support is assumed to act is known as the center of __________.

1. gravity
2. effort
3. flotation
4. buoyancy ✓

Which of the following represents a significant system limitation to be aware of when a burner management system is operated in the "HAND" mode?

1. The flame failure alarm cannot function when the boiler is "HAND" fired.
2. The burner sequence control is fully automatic even in the "HAND" mode.
3. Some boiler safety interlocks are bypassed when the boiler is "HAND" fired. ✓
4. The burner is not capable of maintaining a high firing rate when the boiler is in the "HAND" mode.

As found in a basic pneumatic automatic combustion control system, the function of a standardizing relay is to __________.

1. Provide a backup means for manual control of the system
2. Introduce a control for maintaining constant steam pressure regardless of boiler load ✓
3. Introduce a control for maintaining constant superheated steam temperature regardless of boiler load
4. Control the boiler drum water level within acceptable limits regardless of the load

When the oily-water separator, shown in the illustration, is in operation and processing clear bilge water, what should be the internal water level? Illustration GS-0153

1. The water level in the tank should be slightly above the upper coalescer bed "9".
2. The water level should be located in the lower section of the tank as controlled by flow control valve "14".
3. The water level should be located in the upper section of the tank. ✓
4. No water level is maintained in the tank.

As it pertains to the automatic electric brake of a capstan, what statement is true?

1. The brake is electrically set and spring released, and the brake automatically releases when power is removed from the electric drive motor.
2. The brake is spring set and electrically released, and the brake automatically releases when electric power is removed from the electric drive motor.
3. The brake is electrically set and spring released, and the brake automatically sets when electric power is removed from the electric drive motor.
4. The brake is spring set and electrically released, and the brake automatically sets when electric power is removed from the electric drive motor. ✓

Referring to the illustrated single zone HVAC system diagram, what statement is true concerning the damper controls? Illustration RA-0009

1. The exhaust and outside air dampers are normally open and the recirculation damper is normally closed and each damper is controlled by its own pilot air signal.
2. The exhaust and outside air dampers are normally closed and the recirculation damper is normally open and all three dampers are controlled by a single pilot air signal. ✓
3. The exhaust and outside air dampers are normally open and the recirculation damper is normally closed and all three dampers are controlled by a single pilot air signal.
4. The exhaust and outside air dampers are normally closed and the recirculation damper is normally open and each damper is controlled by its own pilot air signal.

What statement is true concerning a one-pipe hydronic heating system?

1. Each heating coil inlet temperature is different, as the hot water inlet temperature to each heating coil progressively drops as the water passes through each successive series-connected coil. ✓
2. Each heating coil inlet temperature is identical, as the hot water inlet temperature to each heating coil progressively drops as the water passes through each successive series-connected coil.
3. Each heating coil inlet temperature is identical, as the hot water inlet temperature to each heating coil progressively rises as the water passes through each successive series-connected coil.
4. Each heating coil inlet temperature is different, as the hot water inlet temperature to each heating coil progressively rises as the water passes through each successive series-connected coil.

What leadership style tends to extrinsically motivate employees on a contingent reward system where the focus is on outcomes?

1. Adaptive leadership
2. Transformational leadership
3. Developmental leadership
4. Transactional leadership ✓

Which of the following conflict resolution techniques represents a strategy where everyone wins?

1. Compromise by both sides.
2. Voluntary submission of one side.
3. Struggle and victory of one side over the other.
4. Joint problem solving by both sides. ✓

Decisions must be made based upon the appropriate response to a given situation. Which of the following situations requiring a decision require a different response each time and are considered unprogrammed decisions?

1. Deciding what to do as a result of a severe accident occurring in the engine room. ✓
2. Deciding what to do for scheduling familiarization training when new engine department personnel report aboard.
3. Deciding what to do upon failure of an engine department watchstander to report for watch on time without permission.
4. Deciding what to do in preparing a maintenance schedule for the upcoming month.

Which of the following document types would offer the greatest flexibility in carrying out its intent?

1. Regulations
2. Rules
3. Policies ✓
4. Standing orders

As an engineering department manager in dealing with a grievance presented by an unlicensed engine department crew and union member, what documentation spells out the grievance procedure?

1. Title 29 CFR Department of Labor
2. Collective Bargaining Agreement between Company and Union ✓
3. Title 46 CFR U.S. Coast Guard (Shipping)
4. Shipping Articles of Agreement

In what part of 33CFR can be found the recordkeeping requirements for specific machinery space operations onboard all ships of 400 gross tons or above other than a tanker that must be entered into an Oil Record Book?

1. 33CFR Part 151.15
2. 33CFR Part 151.25 ✓
3. 33CFR Part 151.55
4. 33CFR Part 151.2070

Which of the following comprehensive computerized maintenance system database modules would be used to generate a maintenance due report?

1. Requisitions management module
2. Planned maintenance management module ✓
3. Inventory management module
4. Equipment management module

Which of the projections represents the left side view of the object "X" in the illustration? Illustration GS-0022

1. A ✓
2. B
3. C
4. D

Which of the listed types of machined 'hole' is represented by "B" as shown in the illustration? Illustration GS- 0015

1. Counterbore
2. Countersink
3. Counterdrill ✓
4. Spotface

A hydraulic fluid flow control circuit, controlling linear actuator speed, with the pump operating below maximum operating pressure is known as the __________.

1. bleed-in circuit
2. metered-out circuit
3. metered-in circuit
4. bleed-off circuit ✓

A dirty lube oil strainer can result in __________.

1. crankcase dilution
2. low bearing oil pressure ✓
3. excessive oil consumption
4. low lube oil temperature

Catalytic fines comprised of aluminum oxide and/or silicon dioxide are a common contaminant of residual fuels. Which diesel engine components would be most affected by catalytic fines in fuel?

1. Fuel injectors and piston rings.
2. High pressure fuel pumps and fuel injectors. ✓
3. Fuel injectors and turbocharger blading.
4. High pressure fuel pumps and cylinder liners.

On a diesel-propelled vessel operating with constant slip what is the effect on fuel consumption with an increase in shaft RPM?

1. fuel consumption varies as the cube of the shaft RPM ✓
2. fuel consumption varies directly proportional to the shaft RPM
3. fuel consumption varies as the square of the shaft RPM
4. fuel consumption varies inversely with the shaft RPM

If the compensating needle valve of a hydraulic governor is opened more than necessary the governor will __________.

1. have a larger than normal deadband
2. respond slowly to any change in engine load
3. produce excessive speed response to a load change ✓
4. stabilize engine speed at the new governor setting

A feed pump for an auxiliary boiler might lose suction if the __________.

1. boiler water level is low
2. feedwater is too hot ✓
3. boiler steam demand is low
4. feedwater is too cold

Burner ignition failure in an automatically fired auxiliary boiler would be caused by __________.

1. a burned-out solenoid in the oil supply valve ✓
2. high temperature excess air
3. incorrectly setting the hotwell dump valve
4. an incorrectly positioned burner snubber relay

The pinion gear shown in the illustration, is located __________. Illustration MO-0086

1. below #1 and #3
2. between #1 and #3 ✓
3. below #2 and #4
4. between #2 and #4

Which of the listed problems will happen when the water level of a fire-tube type auxiliary boiler approaches the crown sheet?

1. Excess steam will be generated.
2. The furnace will overheat.
3. The fusible plugs will melt. ✓
4. The furnace will explode.

Why should the main steam stop valve of an auxiliary boiler be eased off its seat and then gently closed before lighting off?

1. To check for a tight bonnet seal.
2. To ensure that the valve will not be seized shut when hot. ✓
3. To check the valve packing.
4. To examine the valve stem for scars or nicks.

The part labeled "G", as shown in the illustration, is a __________. Illustration MO-0040

1. connecting rod bushing ✓
2. connecting rod cap
3. piston bushing
4. bearing shell

The valve cam slope angle determines the __________.

1. engine torque characteristics
2. diameter of intake and exhaust valves
3. engine fuel efficiency
4. acceleration rate of valve opening and closing ✓

In a medium-speed marine propulsion engine equipped with direct admission air starting valves, the cylinders without air starting valves fire first because the __________.

1. compression is released during starting by opening the exhaust valve
2. cylinders are not chilled by the expansion of the starting air ✓
3. operation is under higher compression
4. fuel is admitted only to these cylinders during cranking

Which of the following operating characteristics of the Bendix drive friction clutch is associated with a Bendix drive starter?

1. Disengages the pinion from the flywheel ring gear.
2. Helps absorb the shock when the pinion engages the flywheel ring gear. ✓
3. Prevents the pinion starter from overrunning on the starter shaft.
4. Engages the pinion with the air start distributor.

The pinion of an auxiliary diesel-electric starting motor normally engages the flywheel ring gear by means of a/an __________.

1. muff coupling and release
2. automatic follow-up
3. magnetic type coupling
4. Bendix drive or similar mechanism ✓

With the sprinkler system and air system on, and all hatches shut, the survival craft will be protected from __________.

1. a nuclear environment
2. a fire and toxic environment ✓
3. a hurricane
4. a drop greater than ten feet

A fire, occurring in the windings, of an overloaded electrical motor, is considered a __________.

1. class "A" fire
2. class "B" fire
3. class "C" fire ✓
4. class "D" fire

In a typical automatic fire alarm system, all zone circuits are always connected __________.

1. to the detecting cabinet ✓
2. to the trouble alarm supervising resistor
3. in parallel
4. in series

Servicing of a cartridge-operated dry chemical fire extinguisher aboard ship would include ensuring that the __________.

1. recharge of weight loss exceeds 10% of the weight of charge
2. cartridge weight is not less than 1/4 ounce of weight stamped on cartridge
3. powder is not caked and there is a full charge ✓
4. pressure gage is within the operating range

You are the chief engineer of a vessel, while in port working cargo a fire is reported in the engine room. Shoreside firefighting assistance has been requested. How would you proceed?

1. Use the ship's Fire Control Plan and coordinate with shoreside firefighters to extinguish the fire. ✓
2. Use the ship's SOPEP plan and coordinate with shoreside firefighters to extinguish the fire.
3. Use the ship's SOLAS manual and coordinate with shoreside firefighters to extinguish the fire.
4. Evacuate the ship and leave the fighting of the fire to the shoreside firefighters.

When preparing to pump flammable liquids with a centrifugal pump, you should __________.

1. have a standby pump running with the discharge valve closed
2. check for gland leakage and any fire hazard ✓
3. draw a small quantity of liquid to prime the pump
4. lift the relief valve by hand to check its operation

A fuel tank is considered to be gas free when the tank is __________.

1. thoroughly ventilated for at least 24 hours
2. free of most flammable gas concentrations
3. free of all dangerous concentrations of flammable or toxic gases ✓
4. inerted with carbon dioxide for 24 hours

The Oil Record Book must be maintained onboard the vessel for __________.

1. 6 months and then submitted to the nearest Marine Safety Office for review
2. an annual inspection
3. the duration of the ship's active employment
4. not less than 3 years and be readily available for inspection ✓

By what method is the final light ship weight, longitudinal and vertical centers of gravity of a vessel, and final assignment of the load lines determined?

1. By relying on resultant calculations from an inclining experiment. ✓
2. By relying on calculations based on ballasting a light vessel to full load displacement.
3. By actually shifting ballast horizontally and longitudinally and relying on resultant calculations.
4. By relying on naval architectural design calculations.

As chief engineer of an oceangoing passenger vessel, it is important to know the effect of trim and stability of your ship in the event of damage to a compartment. To minimize the impact of flooding in the event of a grounding, what should be your ship's safe practice regarding watertight doors and hatches?

1. All watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads shall be kept closed during navigation except when necessarily opened for working of the vessel, and in such cases they shall always be ready to be immediately closed. ✓
2. All watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads shall be kept closed when the vessel is anchored except when necessarily opened for working of the vessel, and in such cases they shall always be ready to be immediately closed.
3. All watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads shall be kept open during navigation to facilitate crew movement and in all cases they shall always be ready to be immediately closed.
4. All watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads shall be kept open during normal operation, except during adverse weather when they shall be closed.

Yawing is the angular motion of the vessel about what axis?

1. Centerline
2. Transverse
3. Vertical ✓
4. Longitudinal

While troubleshooting a circuit in an engine room central control console, a resistor is suspected of being faulty. Which of the following precautions must be observed if an analog or digital multimeter set up as an ohmmeter is to be used to check its value?

1. The meter case must be grounded prior to attaching the leads.
2. The meter leads must not be twisted so as to cancel out the individual magnetic fields.
3. The resistor's circuit must be de-energized and at least one end of the resistor isolated by disconnecting. ✓
4. The correct polarity must be observed because reverse bias will damage the component.

Which of the following describes the action when the handle is moved to the "start" position of a drum-type motor controller used with a compound wound DC motor?

1. Full line voltage is supplied to the shunt and series fields, and reduced voltage is supplied to the armature.
2. Full line voltage is supplied to the shunt field, and reduced voltage is supplied to the series field and the armature. ✓
3. Full line voltage is supplied to the shunt field, series field, and armature.
4. Reduced voltage is supplied to the shunt field, series field, and armature.

As shown in the illustration of a cycloconverter for an AC synchronous propulsion motor, what statement is true concerning the operating motor frequency? Illustration EL-0157

1. The operating motor frequency is generally limited to less than one-third of mains line frequency. ✓
2. The operating motor frequency is generally limited to three times the mains line frequency.
3. The operating motor frequency is generally not limited regardless of the mains line frequency.
4. The operating motor frequency is generally limited to that equal to the mains line frequency.

Which of the following statements is true concerning a large polyphase synchronous main propulsion motor as used in an electric propulsion drive system?

1. Resistance is gradually added to the rotor circuit.
2. The motor is started as an induction motor. ✓
3. The starting current is held below the rated current.
4. The field winding is energized for starting purposes only.

How is the direction of rotation of the main propulsion motor in a modern AC propulsion drive system reversed?

1. power directional relays
2. reversing the direction of current flow in the armature
3. changing the direction of current flow in the motor's field winding
4. electronically changing the phase sequence of the voltages generated by the power converter ✓

How is the speed of the propeller shaft directly coupled to an AC synchronous propulsion motor changed when powered by a variable frequency alternator in an AC turboelectric drive system?

1. varying the number of motor poles
2. varying the turbine speed ✓
3. varying the field strength of the generator
4. varying the field strength of the motor

What type of motor is generally used in DC propulsion drive systems?

1. permanent magnet
2. differentially compounded
3. shunt wound ✓
4. series wound

How is reversal of a DC propulsion motor achieved?

1. the use of a shunt field regulator
2. reversing the phase sequence of the incoming voltage
3. reversing the direction of current flow in the motor field windings ✓
4. the use of a 12-pulse converter

As shown in the illustration of a DC diesel-electric propulsion drive system, what would be the set up contactor configurations if #1 M/E is to be secured, so that only #2 M/E diesel-generator is set up to supply both propulsion motors? Illustration EL-0141

1. contactors G2 and S1 dropped out; contactors G1 and S2 pulled in
2. contactors G2 and S2 dropped out; contactors G1 and S1 pulled in
3. contactors G2 and S1 pulled in; contactors G1 and S2 dropped out ✓
4. contactors G2 and S2 pulled in; contactors G1 and S1 dropped out

What is the greatest single cause of electrical failures?

1. overcurrent
2. too frequent testing
3. the breakdown of insulation ✓
4. high inductance

What are the operating characteristics of a step-down potential transformer in terms of the secondary load?

1. reduced current and increased voltage
2. reduced voltage and increased current ✓
3. reduced voltage and reduced current
4. reduced power (kVA)

Which of the following procedures should be used to maintain a large electric motor during periods of inactivity?

1. Spraying a solvent periodically to remove carbon dust.
2. Compressed air should be blown over areas where dust is deposited.
3. A thin layer of air-drying varnish should be applied on the windings.
4. Space heaters should be used to prevent condensation of moisture. ✓