Ship Driver Vessel Systems and Maintenance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a bilge pump do on a vessel?
- Transfers fuel from one tank to another
- Removes water that has collected in the lowest part of the hull (Correct answer)
- Circulates cooling water through the engine
- Pressurizes the freshwater system
Correct answer: Removes water that has collected in the lowest part of the hull
A bilge pump removes accumulated water from the bilge (lowest part of the hull) to prevent flooding and maintain vessel buoyancy.
Question 2: How often should engine oil be checked on an inboard vessel?
- Once per season
- Only after major trips
- Before each outing (Correct answer)
- Every 100 hours of operation only
Correct answer: Before each outing
Engine oil should be checked before each outing to ensure proper lubrication levels, as low oil can cause catastrophic engine damage far from shore.
Question 3: What is the purpose of zincs (sacrificial anodes) on a vessel?
- Improve radio signal reception
- Protect metal hull and drive components from galvanic corrosion (Correct answer)
- Prevent barnacle growth
- Reduce drag on the hull
Correct answer: Protect metal hull and drive components from galvanic corrosion
Zinc anodes sacrifice themselves through galvanic corrosion to protect more expensive metals like bronze, stainless steel, and aluminum on the vessel.
Question 4: What should be done if a through-hull fitting fails and water rushes in?
- Call for help and wait
- Immediately insert a tapered wooden plug (seacock plug) into the opening (Correct answer)
- Use duct tape to seal the fitting
- Turn on the bilge pump and continue operating
Correct answer: Immediately insert a tapered wooden plug (seacock plug) into the opening
A tapered wooden seacock plug hammered into the failed through-hull fitting can stop or greatly reduce flooding while you seek help or effect permanent repairs.
Question 5: What indicates a failing impeller on a raw-water-cooled engine?
- Low fuel pressure warning light
- Engine overheating — loss of cooling water flow (Correct answer)
- Excess voltage at the alternator
- Rough idle at low RPM
Correct answer: Engine overheating — loss of cooling water flow
A failed impeller (rubber pump vane) stops cooling water circulation, causing rapid engine overheating — immediate shutdown is required to prevent damage.
Question 6: What is the recommended procedure for winterizing a freshwater-cooled inboard engine?
- Drain all coolant and leave dry
- Flush with antifreeze and change oil before storage (Correct answer)
- Run at full throttle until coolant evaporates
- Cover the engine and leave as-is
Correct answer: Flush with antifreeze and change oil before storage
Winterizing requires flushing the cooling system with marine antifreeze and changing oil (which contains combustion acids) before storage to prevent freeze damage and corrosion.
Ship Driver Vessel Systems and Maintenance 1
What does a bilge pump do on a vessel?