Ship Driver Vessel Systems and Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the function of a vessel's seacock?
- Controls fuel flow to the engine
- Opens and closes a through-hull fitting to control water flow (Correct answer)
- Adjusts rudder trim
- Regulates bilge pump output
Correct answer: Opens and closes a through-hull fitting to control water flow
A seacock is a valve on a through-hull fitting that can be closed to stop water flow — critical for controlling flooding if a fitting fails.
Question 2: What does 'cavitation' mean in the context of a propeller?
- Propeller hitting underwater objects
- Formation and collapse of vapor bubbles on the propeller causing loss of thrust and damage (Correct answer)
- Incorrect propeller pitch for vessel speed
- Excessive vibration from shaft misalignment
Correct answer: Formation and collapse of vapor bubbles on the propeller causing loss of thrust and damage
Cavitation occurs when low pressure behind propeller blades causes water to vaporize into bubbles that collapse violently, eroding the propeller and reducing efficiency.
Question 3: How can you detect a fuel leak in the engine compartment before starting?
- Check fuel gauge before departure
- Open the engine hatch and sniff for fuel vapors before starting (Correct answer)
- Run the blower and watch for fuel gauge drop
- Check bilge water color
Correct answer: Open the engine hatch and sniff for fuel vapors before starting
Before starting a gasoline engine, open the hatch and sniff for fuel or gas vapor — starting with accumulated vapors present can cause an explosion.
Question 4: What is the purpose of running the bilge blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?
- To cool the engine before startup
- To remove potentially explosive gasoline vapors from the engine compartment (Correct answer)
- To test the bilge pump system
- To warm up the fuel system
Correct answer: To remove potentially explosive gasoline vapors from the engine compartment
Federal law requires running the bilge blower for at least 4 minutes before starting a gasoline inboard to evacuate any accumulated explosive fuel vapors.
Question 5: What should be done if the engine temperature gauge rises rapidly to the red zone?
- Increase throttle to clear the blockage
- Reduce speed immediately and investigate the cause before shutting down
- Shut down the engine immediately and investigate (Correct answer)
- Switch to the auxiliary engine
Correct answer: Shut down the engine immediately and investigate
An engine in the red zone is overheating — immediate shutdown prevents catastrophic engine damage, and you must find the cause (failed impeller, low coolant, blocked intake) before restarting.
Question 6: How should a fire extinguisher be used on a vessel fire?
- Spray from the back of the fire toward the front
- Use the PASS technique: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep at the base of the flames (Correct answer)
- Aim at the flames directly from above
- Spray continuous stream until empty
Correct answer: Use the PASS technique: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep at the base of the flames
The PASS technique (Pull pin, Aim at base, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side) is the correct method for using a portable fire extinguisher.
Ship Driver Vessel Systems and Maintenance 2
What is the function of a vessel's seacock?