Engine department

The engine room is the heart of a ship where the power is generated to drive the ship. The main power is
derived from two boilers. These are oil fired, forced draught, water-tube type boilers with superheaters and
economizers. The power derived from the boilers is used to run the high and low pressure turbines. The
turbines are coupled through cross-compound, double reduction gears which drive a shaft. In addition to the
boilers and propulsion machinery, the engine room also contains auxiliary machinery to run the rest of the
ship's systems. Steam driven generators provide electricity for the ship's lights and the D.C. motors. An
electrical distribution panel allows the ship's electrical systems to be run from the steam generators, diesel
powered auxiliary generators or shore power. There are two refrigerator compressors to maintain the
temperature in the walk in freezer and chill boxes. There are also two air compressors.
Each watch is generally manned by at least 3 people; the engineer-on-watch, the fireman, and an oiler. The
engineer-on-watch's station is the main operating control panel. The main operating control panel has gauges
that allow the engineer to assess and maintain the overall condition of the steam plant, propulsion systems
and other machinery. Some of the gauges and controls at this station are: main steam pressure, vacuum
pressure, auxiliary steam pressure, level of the D.C. heater, level of the main gear sump, RPM.'s of the shaft,
total revolutions of the shaft, control air pressure, and the forward and astern main throttle wheels.
The fireman's station is the fire room; here the fireman monitors and maintains the boiler operation. Sight
gauges allow the fireman to monitor the water levels in the boilers. There are periscopes that allow the fireman
to monitor the quality of combustion and adjust the fuel-air mixture accordingly. The fire room control panel
allows the fireman to monitor steam pressure of each boiler, the superheat temperature, fuel oil temperature,
combustion air pressure, and various control air pressure gauges for the automatic water controls of each
boiler.
Finally, the oiler's job is to make rounds engine room keeping watch over all the machinery for signs of
trouble. As his job title would imply, the oiler is responsible for ensuring all machinery and bearings are well
lubricated.