Engine Log Books: Recording Inlet Manifold Air Pressure

Find – Inform – Restrict – Extinguish

Not to place yourself or other personnel in danger

Inform the bridge

All available bilge pumps should be brought into action

Stability of the vessel and protection of the electrical supply

To prevent flooding into adjacent compartments

If necessary

To provide early warning to the engineer in case of slow trending or sudden changes.

Possible causes could include system leaks affecting turbocharger pressure, choked intercooler, or poor combustion air supply.

Loss of pressure results in poor air flow, which can lead to poor combustion, higher combustion temperatures, and reduced cooling of exhaust valves.

Higher turbocharger pressures with low pressure post intercooler could indicate a choked intercooler.

Log entries help build a fault finding picture by tracking pressure trends and identifying sudden changes.

Maintaining turbocharger pressure is essential for ensuring proper air flow and combustion in the engine.

System leaks can result in a loss of pressure affecting turbocharger performance.

The contaminated bunkers must be isolated and if possible tested for water content ahead of notifying DPA and bunker agent.

Bunkers will need to be discharged.

If the bunkers are the only ones available then they must be purified until they are at a satisfactory state – proceed with caution to the nearest port / safe haven.

Possible microbial contamination.

If microbes are the cause then the entire fuel system is likely to have already been contaminated as we know the engine is misfiring. The entire fuel will need to be discharged, tanks and piping systems cleaned and the fuel system will need to be treated with a biocide with repeated flushes and checks until the contamination is removed.

The contaminated bunkers must be isolated and if possible tested for water content ahead of notifying DPA and bunker agent.

If the bunkers are the only ones available then they must be purified until they are at a satisfactory state – proceed with caution to the nearest port / safe haven.

Deposits from sea water and corrosion can lead to hot spots where cooling water cannot remove the heat as quickly as it should, leading to overheating and structural failure.

Water contamination may drastically reduce the oils' ability to lubricate, form hydrodynamic wedges (in bearings), and may emulsify, all of which can lead to component failure.

Water can lead to corrosion, specifically in bearings, where failure becomes a very real option.

Lub oils are very carefully designed for their applications and their environments to ensure proper lubrication and performance.

Common log entries, excluding machinery temperatures, pressures and other parameters, include tank soundings, fuel and lubricating consumptions, vessel's state, arrival/departure stand-by times, and key machinery operations.

An additional note is made when machinery is topped up with lubricants to record when and how much was added, which helps with trending consumption.

Recording key machinery operations, like making ready and testing main engines for departure, is important for documenting the vessel's operational readiness and activities.

Checking the standby pumps ensures redundancy and automatic operation in case of failure of the primary cooling pump, which is crucial for maintaining proper cooling and preventing machinery overheating during UMS operation.

Checking for water content in the fuel tanks is crucial to prevent water contamination in the fuel supply, which could lead to engine issues, poor combustion, or even engine failure during UMS operation when the machinery space is unattended.

Checking the fire detection systems is crucial as a fire in the unattended machinery space during UMS could have catastrophic consequences. If the systems are not fully operational, a fire watch system with personnel physically monitoring the space must be implemented to mitigate the risk.

Checking the air receivers and compressors ensures a reliable supply of compressed air, which is essential for various machinery operations and control systems. Failure to do so could lead to air system failures, potentially causing machinery issues or loss of control during UMS operation.

Checking for leaks in the bilges is crucial to ensure there are no ongoing or potential flooding situations. Undetected leaks during UMS operation could lead to progressive flooding, potentially causing machinery failures, stability issues, or even sinking of the vessel if left unchecked.

Conducting a full set of machinery rounds before switching to UMS is crucial to identify any potential issues or abnormalities with the equipment. Failing to do so could lead to undetected problems escalating during UMS operation, potentially causing machinery failures or breakdowns.

Checking the purifier operation and coalescer filters ensures proper fuel treatment and removal of contaminants before switching to UMS. Failure to do so could lead to fuel contamination, potentially causing engine issues, poor combustion, or even engine failure during unattended operation.

Verifying the correct header tank levels for the cooling system ensures sufficient coolant supply and proper system pressurization. Improper levels could lead to air locks, cavitation, or insufficient cooling, potentially causing machinery overheating or failures during UMS operation.

Checking the air compressor running hours is important to ensure timely maintenance and prevent unexpected failures during UMS operation. Neglecting this check could lead to compressor breakdowns, resulting in a loss of compressed air supply and potential machinery control issues or failures.

Ensuring sufficient fuel reserves in the settling and service tanks is crucial to maintain uninterrupted machinery operation during the UMS period. Inadequate fuel reserves could lead to fuel starvation, causing machinery shutdowns or failures, potentially stranding the vessel or compromising its safety.