Ship's Engine Start Up

ENGINE STARTS - @3:23
A quick walk around the ships engine room for departure preparation.
I didn't have a chance to film every thing but this gives people a basic idea of what goes on down below when getting the ship ready to go to sea.
This ship is a Bulk Carrier - Its specs are:
Length - 291m
Beam - 45m
Depth - 25.7m
Draft - 16.5m
DWT - 180,000 tonnes
Cargo hold capacity - 199,293 m^3
Engine Maximum continuous rating - 18,660 kW x 91 RPM

[samreyy]

FAQ


No pre lubrication? Yes it was pre lubricated but I didn't film that part (push pre lube button in engine control room)

What are the specs of the vessel?
This ship is a Bulk Carrier - Its specs are: Length - 291m Beam - 45m Depth - 25.7m Draft - 16.5m DWT - 180, 000 tonnes Cargo hold capacity - 199, 293 m^3 Engine Maximum continuous rating - 18, 660 kW x 91 RPM


Is there a gear box for the Main Engine?
No, it is direct coupled to the propeller shaft. To achieve revers thrust, the engine is stopped, re-timed and started in the reverse rotation.

How many crew on board?
17 personnel in total - 4 x Engineers including the Chief Engineer - 4 deck officers including the Master - 1 x cook - 1 x steward and 7 x integrated ratings.

What's with the old wind up phone? This is a sound powered phone - These are located in key areas to allow communication even during times of blackout. Even modern ships still have these.

How big are the fuel tanks? Total fuel capacity for Main and Aux Engines + Boiler is roughly 4, 333 Cube. (4, 333, 000 Liters) Not including the marine diesel or low sulfur tanks it has.
4 x Bunker Tanks = 736 m3 + 1, 341 m3 + 1, 347 m3 + 736 m3
1 x Service Tank = 85 m3
1 x Sett Tank - 88 m3

Why is the wheel loose at 3:10?
The axial movement which appears to make the handle look loose is a design feature to allow the operator to use the valve wheel as a hammer when the valve is initially cracked opened. Also used to seat the valve closed.

How long does start up take?
It takes roughly 1 hour to get the ships plant ready for sea.

Is that a 2-stroke engine?
The main engine is a 2 stroke while the generators are 4 stroke.

Why isn't the process automated? Cost

Don't they wash their overalls? Yes, every day. You can go through 3 pairs in a day. Unfortunately heavy fuel oil does stain white overalls and due to minimum manning all the maintenance is shared between 3 engineers.
:P

[theolder]

Having been retired after 45 years at sea, last 19 as chief engineer, on tankers of all sizes this bought back so many happy memories. I love the sound of the blower winding up and down. Cheers happy sailing.

[sasukes.]

Let’s appreciate the minds of the engineers, mechanics, and machinists who were able to imagine and bring these things to life. Something about this is very magical, like steampunk in a way.

[meedee]

Thank you for letting us hear it. And not some annoying music

[johnnypk]

The complexity of these systems and the ability of man to design, build and make it all perfectly functional never ceases to amaze…

[modelrailroader]

The last ship I sailed on as an engineer had a Sulzer engine very similar to this. I went through this procedure many many times. Good memories!

[stevec.]

At last a pretty comprehensive start up procedure video. Yes a few things omitted for simplification but it gives the viewer an insight into what is expected of the engineer on duty. Only those with no engine room experience will give it negative reviews. well done.

[dldave]

I knew there was a reason I couldn’t sleep and got out of bed at 315...it was time to learn to start a ship!

[gthreesix]

It's so nice to actually hear all the sounds! No annoying music!

[trevorsabo]

Had no idea that it was such an intricate process - wouldn’t even know where to start :) Much respect to all those involved in the shipping industry :)
This makes me grateful for my double push key fob. ✌️❤️🇨🇦

[absolutely]

You guys keep the engine room good and clean. No mess around the auxiliary engines.

[theilleagle]

I've been waiting for Doug Demuro to go over the "quirks and features".

[garylockard]

Very clean engine room. The start procedure is quite a bit different from lighting off a steam system (obviously). My experience was with steam systems, so that's why I watched this. The generator panels have also advanced a long way since manual synchronization. Thanks for the post !

[Peter]

A lovely symphony of mechanical, pneumatic and electrical sounds!!

[frankconnelly]

As a Ex Engineer on large Diesel Motor Ships this brings back a lot of memories, just think when we had a breakdown (not often I must say) what it was like repairing these monsters at Sea.

[MurthyER]

This brought back my memories as Chief Engineer, back 80s to 2000, I worked on B&W, MAN, SULZER, DOXFORD (old, ! and as 3rd & 4th engr), Werkspoor medium speed, Pielstick etc. Thanks for posting, I would be lost with the modern technology now 😊

[garyfernandez]

Just think of the brainpower that went into designing all that and making it work. Very impressive.

[ericmowrey]

Starting in the US Navy and then into the civilian market I was an aircraft mechanic for over thirty years, working on everything from light planes and piston powered helicopters to Airbus 320's and Boeing 747's. In spite of all that I cannot help but look upon this man's job with a certain amount of jealousy and regret. If I were a young man again, looking for a promising and specialized career, I think I would have been a ship's engineer over aviation. Don't ask me to explain. I can't.

[patrickobogo]

There's something special about that engine turning on dead slow. Music to the ears. Can actually hear every unit firing. Hectic as it may be, I miss this life.

[Bullzeyeyds]

That was great! I used to work with a 4200hp stand-by generator, that prepped power for the forced draft fans and other loads to make steam for 2 DeLaval 12.5 Mw steam turbines.
Love big power!
Yea, I know, "That's what she said."
Thanks for the vid.