UFIV – Chief Engineer, Revision & Practice Exams

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. ✓

Technicians servicing small refrigeration appliances can employ what type of recovery equipment?

1. passive only
2. active only
3. either active or passive ✓
4. do not need to recover the refrigerant

A fire can be extinguished by removing __________.

1. the heat
2. the fuel
3. the oxygen
4. any of the above ✓

During an inspection of a ships storeroom, you find sealed containers of chemicals labeled "potassium bicarbonate" and "potassium chloride". These chemicals are most commonly used aboard ship for _______.

1. descaling evaporator tubes
2. recharging dry chemical fire extinguishers ✓
3. degreasing machinery parts
4. engine jacket water treatment

The longer an oil fire is permitted to burn, the __________.

1. easier it is to control
2. easier it is to extinguish
3. harder it is to extinguish ✓
4. less chance there is of reignition

As chief engineer on a vessel, you and the first engineer are planning a welding job in the cargo-hold. How would you ensure that all safety precautions are reviewed prior to starting this job?

1. Have the first engineer review the SOLAS manual prior to starting the job.
2. Have the first engineer verbally review fire safety with crew working on the job.
3. Have the first engineer complete a hot-work permit after completing the job.
4. Have the first engineer complete a hot-work permit prior to starting the job. ✓

The line labeled "E", as shown in the illustration, would be identified as the ______. Illustration GS-0175

1. processed water outlet line
2. clean water inlet line
3. waste oil outlet line
4. oily bilge water inlet line ✓

During the "forming" stage of group development, members are trying to determine the task of the group and their role expectations of one another. As a manager, what should be done to help facilitate the "forming" process?

1. The group should have a designated leader to provide structure and guidance. ✓
2. The group members should be widely differing in background regardless of the degree of complexity of the task.
3. The group should not have a designated leader to promote equality.
4. The group members should be similar in background regardless of the degree of complexity of the task.

Fire detecting systems on merchant vessels may be arranged to sense __________.

1. smoke
2. rate of temperature rise
3. ionized particles
4. all of the above ✓

Which of the following fuel systems is characterized by a complete absence of high-pressure fuel lines?

1. Rotary plunger type system
2. In-line multi-plunger type system
3. Unit injector type system ✓
4. Common rail type system

The deck winch on your ship-handling tug is fitted with a Woodward SG Type governor, as shown in the illustration. In addition to variable governed speed setting, what other group of settings is built into this particular governor? Illustration MO-0157

1. Engine idle speed (minimum governed speed), engine speed limit (maximum governed speed) ✓
2. Engine idle speed (minimum governed speed), engine load limit (maximum fuel delivery)
3. Engine load limit (maximum fuel delivery), engine speed limit (maximum governed speed)
4. Engine speed droop (load sharing adjustment), governor compensation (stability adjustment)

Which of the conditions listed is necessary for a substance to burn?

1. The temperature of the substance must be equal to or above its fire point
2. The air must contain oxygen in sufficient quantity
3. The mixture of vapors with air must be between the LEL and the UEL
4. All of the above ✓

In the event of an exhaust duct fire, most dry chemical and carbon dioxide galley range fixed extinguishing systems are automatically activated through the action of a stainless-steel cable, spring and a __________.

1. fusible link ✓
2. stack switch
3. thermostat
4. pyrostat

The state of charge of a stored pressure type dry chemical fire extinguisher can be readily determined by __________.

1. weighing the CO2 cartridge
2. weighing the cylinder
3. visual inspection of the pressure gage ✓
4. removing the lid and checking the level of dry chemical

The "flammable limits" of an atmosphere are the __________.

1. upper and lower percentage of vapor concentrations in an atmosphere which will burn if an ignition source is present ✓
2. two temperatures between which an atmosphere will self-ignite
3. upper and lower pressures between which an atmosphere will not burn
4. two temperatures between which an atmosphere will burn if an ignition source is present

When making entries in the Oil Record Book, all quantities should be __________.

1. consistently recorded through the Oil Record Book in one specified unit (gallons, barrels, cubic meters) ✓
2. recorded as cubic meters with a conversion to barrels
3. recorded directly from the oil discharge monitor
4. verified by the chief engineer

The uninspected fishing trawler to which you are assigned is fitted with main propulsion diesel engines of the type shown in the illustration. In terms of valve operating gear, cylinder liner type, and connecting rod type, what statement is true? Illustration MO-0005

1. This is a pushrod operated overhead valve engine, with wet cylinder liners and conventional connecting rods. ✓
2. This is a pushrod operated overhead valve engine, with jacketed cylinder liners and articulated connecting rods.
3. This is an overhead cam engine, with wet cylinder liners and conventional connecting rods.
4. This is an overhead cam engine, with jacketed cylinder liners and marine-type connecting rods.

The mollusc dredger to which you are assigned is fitted with generator set drive engines as shown in the illustration. What statement is true in terms of the combustion chamber design? Illustration MO-0005

1. The engine uses pre-combustion chambers with a flat fire-deck.
2. The engine uses turbulence chambers with a hemispherical fire-deck.
3. The engine uses an open type combustion chamber with a flat fire-deck. ✓
4. The engine uses an open type combustion chamber with a hemispherical fire-deck.

The various auxiliary diesel engines fitted on your fishery research vessel may employ a variety of different starting systems. What type of starting system is shown in the illustration? Illustration MO-0049

1. Electric power operated system.
2. Hydraulic power operated system. ✓
3. Gas engine power operated system.
4. Pneumatic power operated system.

The main engines on your fishing industry line vessel are equipped with manual shutdown levers as shown in the illustration. What statement concerning manual shutdown is true? Illustration MO-0171

1. The manual shutdown lever is operated by means of a remote pull cable and uses the governor fuel control linkage to accomplish engine shutdown.
2. The manual shutdown lever is operated by means of the over speed trip reset lever and uses the over speed trip mechanism to accomplish engine shutdown.
3. The manual shutdown lever is operated by means of a remote pull cable and uses the over speed trip mechanism to accomplish engine shutdown. ✓
4. The manual shutdown lever is operated by means of the emergency trip reset lever and uses the governor fuel control linkage.

The main diesel propulsion engines on your uninspected fishing industry vessel are protected with a mechanical over speed trip mechanism similar to that shown in the illustration. Upon testing the trip setting, you discover that it is necessary to make an adjustment. Assuming that several adjustments may be necessary before the final setting is accurately achieved, what statement concerning adjustment is true? Illustration MO-0101

1. To adjust the over speed trip, the engine must be running AND the locknut must be retightened after each adjustment.
2. To adjust the over speed trip, the engine must be stopped AND the locknut must be retightened after each adjustment. ✓
3. To adjust the over speed trip, the engine must be stopped AND the locknut must be retightened only after the final adjustment.
4. To adjust the over speed trip, the engine must be running AND the locknut must be retightened only after the final adjustment.

You are assigned to a fishery research vessel fitted with main propulsion diesel engines operating on the cycle represented in the polar timing diagram shown in the illustration. When do the intake valves open and close respectively? Illustration MO-0084

1. The intake valves open at 45o after bottom dead center on the compression stroke. The intake valves close at 75o before top dead center on the exhaust.
2. The intake valves open at top dead center at the beginning of the intake stroke. The intake valves close at bottom dead center at the end of the intake stroke.
3. The intake valves open at bottom dead center at the end of the intake stroke. The intake valves close at top dead center at the beginning of the intake stroke.
4. The intake valves open at 75o before top dead center on the exhaust stroke. The intake valves close at 45o after bottom dead center on the compression stroke. ✓

You are in the process of setting up a system for collecting engine data for trend analysis for the main propulsion engines on your uninspected fishing industry vessel. In terms of the conditions under which readings are to be taken and recorded, what statement is true?

1. Data should be collected under random conditions of load and speed.
2. Data should be collected under conditions of load and speed that are similar, if not constant. ✓
3. Data should be collected under conditions of load and speed as variable as possible.
4. Data should be collected with no particular concern for conditions of load and speed.

Before shutting down the main propulsion engines on a fishing industry factory ship, ideally what should be accomplished FIRST?

1. The engine should be operated with the load removed from the engine for several minutes, then shut down. ✓
2. The engine should be operated at rated load for several minutes, then shut down.
3. The engine should be operated at a steady, but substantial load for several minutes, then shut down.
4. The engine should be shut down immediately with no delay period, regardless of the engine load.

The mollusc dredger to which you are assigned has diesel generator engines fitted with intake and exhaust systems as shown in the illustration. What type of turbo charging configuration is used? Illustration MO-0176

1. Constant pressure turbo charging
2. Boost-controlled turbo charging
3. Pulse turbo charging ✓
4. 2-stage turbo charging

The diesel generators on your uninspected fishing trawler are fitted with speed control governors of the type shown in the illustration. If an adjustment is made to item #2, what will change? Illustration MO-0160

1. The speed droop setting
2. The governed speed setting ✓
3. The minimum low speed setting
4. The maximum high speed setting

The main engines on your fishery research vessel utilize a starting system similar to that shown in the illustration. The air supply pressure and engine room ambient temperatures are both within the normal range. Upon attempted start-up, the engine turns very slowly, and the flow rate of air from the air starting motor exhaust is very low. Which of the listed conditions would most likely be the cause of the failure to start? Illustration MO-0203

1. The in-line strainer basket element is severely restricted. ✓
2. The air-starting motor vanes are stuck in their slots.
3. The in-line lubricator siphon tube is severely restricted.
4. The fuel injection system piping is air-bound.

When interpreting the engine lube oil supply header pressures for the main engines on your fishing trawler, what statement is true assuming that the lube oil pump is engine-driven?

1. As the lube oil temperature increases, the supply header pressure tends to decrease, and as the engine rpm increases, the supply header pressure tends to increase. ✓
2. As the lube oil temperature increases, the supply header pressure tends to increase, and as the engine rpm increases, the supply header pressure tends to decrease.
3. As the lube oil temperature increases, the supply header pressure tends to decrease, and as the engine rpm increases, the supply header pressure tends to decrease.
4. As the lube oil temperature increases, the supply header pressure tends to increase, and as the engine rpm increases, the supply header pressure tends to increase.

The manufacturer of the diesel generator set drive engines used aboard your fishing trawler recommends that no more than a 2 psig pressure drop across a fuel primary metal-edge suction strainer be allowed before recommended servicing. Assuming that the strainer inlet pressure is 4 psig, what would be the minimum allowable outlet pressure before recommended servicing?

1. 2 psig ✓
2. 2" Hg
3. 6 psig
4. 6" Hg

The fishing trawler to which you are assigned is fitted with hydraulic clutches similar to that shown in the illustration. If the time required for the clutch to disengage is unacceptably long, which of the following conditions would most likely be responsible for this? Illustration MO-0089

1. Fluid clutch sump level maintained at too high a level
2. Clutch operating fluid is maintained at too low a temperature
3. Clutch operating fluid is maintained at too high a temperature
4. Solid contaminants are present in the hydraulic fluid ✓

After performing repairs on the fuel injection system or governor of a main propulsion diesel engine on your fishing industry factory ship, what precaution should be taken prior to starting the engine?

1. Provisions should be made to shut off the engine's starting air supply to stop the engine in case there is an over speed on start-up.
2. Provisions should be made to shut off the engine's lubricating oil supply to stop the engine in case there is an over speed on start-up.
3. Provisions should be made to shut off the engine's control electrical power supply to stop the engine in case there is an over speed on start-up.
4. Provisions should be made to shut off the engine's inlet air and/or fuel supply to stop the engine in case there is an over speed on start-up. ✓

While warming up the main engines on your uninspected fishing trawler while tied up at your own pier, one of the main engines suddenly sounds the low lube oil pressure alarm. What is the appropriate initial response?

1. Immediately shut down the engine, then investigate the cause for the low-pressure alarm. ✓
2. Immediately add make-up oil or service lube oil coolers, strainers, and filters, as appropriate.
3. Reduce the load and speed on the engine and continue to monitor the oil pressure.
4. Monitor closely oil pressures, temperatures, and levels while continuing to run the engine.

While donning the positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus, you discover that the air cylinder pressure gauge and the regulator pressure gauge differ from each other by 500 psi. Which of the listed actions should you consider as appropriate?

1. Assume that the lower gauge reading is correct. ✓
2. Replace the air cylinder.
3. Take the average of the two gauges as the correct pressure.
4. Replace the defective gauges with a new pair from the spare parts inventory.

Your chemical tanker was built to the IBC Code and has foam as the main firefighting medium. During one of your safety meetings you review the properties of foam as an extinguishing agent. Which of the following is a correct statement that would be appropriate to share during the meeting?

1. Foam will blanket the fire and cut off the supply of oxygen but it does not provide the best cooling protection for the firefighters. ✓
2. Foam will blanket the fire and cut off the supply of oxygen and is therefore perfectly suited to A, B and C class fires.
3. Foam will blanket the fire and cut off the supply of oxygen but it does generate toxic vapors that may harm the firefighters.
4. Foam will blanket the fire and cut off the supply of oxygen and it also provides excellent cooling protection for the firefighters.

A fire has been reported in the ship's laundry room. As the senior engineer, you direct the team leader of the No.1 emergency squad to secure ventilation to the space. What would your next command be to the emergency team leader, before they can actually start extinguishing the fire?

1. Prepare the lifeboats to abandon ship.
2. Prepare extra fire hoses.
3. Prepare extra portable fire extinguishers.
4. Have electrical power secured to the laundry room. A lock-out tag should be placed on the breaker or switch stating the circuit has been de-energized, to protect crew members from electrical shock. ✓

The explosive range of a mixture of flammable vapors and air lies between the lower and upper explosive limits. These limits are specified as a percentage of __________.

1. oxygen present to support combustion
2. flammable vapor by volume in air ✓
3. the temperature of the flash point
4. the lower limit of explosibility of the mixture

If the cause of a sudden severe list is due to negative initial stability, counter-flooding into empty ballast tanks may __________.

1. cause the unit to flop to a greater angle ✓
2. increase the righting moment
3. cause an increase in the righting arm
4. bring the unit to an upright equilibrium position

According to 33 CFR's, the approval period for a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan expires after __________.

1. one year
2. two years
3. four years
4. five years ✓

Assuming valve "A" is correctly aligned in the no-flow position as shown with the system in operation, which of the following statements is true? Illustration GS-0049

1. The fixed delivery pump would be stopped automatically by a pressure switch.
2. Valve "D" would normally open before valve "B". ✓
3. Valve "B" would be open before valve "D".
4. Valve "C" would be closed.

As the engineer, it is necessary to tune a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control loop. If the PID incorporates all three functions, which function(s) is/are dominant in the controller's performance?

1. Proportional. ✓
2. Derivative and Proportional.
3. Integral and Derivative.
4. All are equally important.

A Coast Guard engineer's license can be suspended or revoked for __________.

1. failure to attend safety meetings
2. conviction of any misdemeanor ashore
3. having your wages garnished
4. being responsible for an oil spill ashore ✓

What is the drive arrangement of refrigeration compressor shown in figure "B" of the illustration? Illustration RA-0041

1. open
2. welded, fully hermetic ✓
3. external drive
4. serviceable, bolted, accessible semi-hermetic

In a dry-type direct expansion refrigeration evaporator, what is true concerning the evaporator coils?

1. the coils are surrounded on the outside by air ✓
2. the coils are surrounded on the outside by refrigerant
3. the coils are coated on the inside with insulation
4. the coils are covered on the outside with insulation

If the needle and seat assembly is excessively eroded, the valve cage assembly can be replaced. In replacing the original valve cage assembly rated at 1/2 tons, what would be the result if the replacement valve cage was oversized at 5 tons? Illustration RA-0007

1. The expansion valve would function normally, with the presentation of no problems.
2. The evaporator would be overfed producing consistently insufficient superheat.
3. The evaporator would be starved producing consistently excessive superheat.
4. The expansion valve would hunt excessively, alternately starving and overfeeding the evaporator coil. ✓

The unlicensed crew requirements listed on the Certificate of Inspection reads as follows: 3 firemen/water tenders; 3 oilers. The vessel is about to depart on a foreign voyage, and has in the crew: 3 firemen/water tenders, 2 oilers, and one man, whose merchant mariner's document is endorsed QMED, any rating. You should __________.

1. request a waiver from the Coast Guard
2. check if any of the firemen have enough time for an oiler's endorsement
3. call the port captain and request another oiler
4. sail because your crew requirements are filled ✓

Concerning the arrangement of equipment and associated hoses shown in the illustration, which statement is true? Illustration RA-0059

1. When recovering refrigerant from the centrifugal chiller using this method, it is possible to achieve the recovery levels required by law without any further recovery. ✓
2. When recovering refrigerant from the centrifugal chiller using this method, the entire charge may be removed in one procedure.
3. When recovering refrigerant from the centrifugal chiller using this method, the containment tank should be vented back to the chiller evaporator shell.
4. When recovering refrigerant from the centrifugal chiller using this method, the refrigerant is being recovered as a liquid.

A horizontal electro-mechanical anchor windlass is equipped with two warping heads, two wildcats, two manual brake handwheels, two clutch control levers, and a multipoint lever-operated pedestal-mounted controller. What statement is true as it pertains to the operation of the pedestal-mounted controller?

1. The pedestal-mounted controller allows both the warping heads and the wildcats to rotate in only one direction of rotation at discrete speeds from zero to maximum.
2. The pedestal-mounted controller allows the wildcats to rotate in either direction of rotation, but the warping heads in only one direction of rotation at discrete speeds from zero to maximum.
3. The pedestal-mounted controller allows the warping heads to rotate in either direction of rotation, but the wildcats in only one direction of rotation at discrete speeds from zero to maximum.
4. The pedestal-mounted controller allows both the warping heads and the wildcats to rotate in either direction of rotation at discrete speeds from zero to maximum. ✓

Engineering departments may experience a barrier to free and open communication vertically upward from subordinates to managers. What is the primary reason for this barrier to communication?

1. The very fact that managers are usually older than their subordinates often creates a barrier to open and free communication vertically upward.
2. The very fact that managers have authority, status and power over their subordinates often creates a barrier to open and free communication vertically upward. ✓
3. The very fact that managers are more knowledgeable than their subordinates often creates a barrier to open and free communication vertically upward.
4. The very fact that managers are more technically proficient than their subordinates often creates a barrier to open and free communication vertically upward.

As a chief engineer you are reviewing the engine room logbook. You must ensure that all entries are made properly. What should be your criteria for how a watch officer makes a correction to an incorrect log entry?

1. The incorrect entry should have a thin line drawn through the error and be initialed by the person making the correction so that the incorrect entry is still visible. ✓
2. The incorrect entry should be completely obliterated and the new correct entry made just below the obliterated incorrect entry.
3. The new correct entry should be written directly on top of the old incorrect entry making every effort to cleverly disguise the incorrect entry.
4. The incorrect entry is to be completely erased and the new correct entry written on top of the erasure so no evidence remains of the incorrect entry.