1. Can you tell something about your last ship? What types (brands) of main engine have you ever experienced?
答：My last ship (type of engine, horse power, trading area, GRT/DWT, etc.) I have experience with several different types of main engines, such as Sulzer, B&W, MAN, PC etc.
2. What abilities should a Chief Engineer possess?
答： First, I think it is very important for a Chief Engineer to be skillful and proficient at work.
Second, he should maintain good management in the engine department.
Third, he should be able to try to motivate every person under his management by assigning jobs fairly among them.
Fourth, he needs to be good in English and language communication. Last, it is very important for a Chief Engineer to maintain good relationship with the Master, the technical superintendent and other personnel from company, First Engineer and the Chief Officer. Above all, he should listen to orders from the Master in most cases.
3. What were the consumption rates of cylinder lube oil and fuel oil in your previous ship?
答：For your reference: for a 10000HP main engine, the consumption rate of fuel oil could be roughly 20~25 tons per day, cylinder oil about 280~310 liters per day (depending on the engine type). The duty engineer should check to see if the consumption is normal. The Second Engineer usually is responsible for checking the fuel oil and recording the figures in the Engine Log Book. Lube oil should be checked on every duty watch. The Chief Engineer is responsible for application of the supplies of lube oil and fuel oil.
4. Can you please describe in detail the bunkering procedures?
答： I should make a bunkering plan firstly according to the ship owner’s  instructions and then report the plan to the Master for approval.
Secondly, a bunkering meeting should be held to specify the responsibilities of crew during the procedure.
Thirdly, preparations of the following like plugs, extinguishers, drums, alarms, communication means, and fuel oil system graphics (drawing) should be made.
Fourthly, I should order the Third Engineer to measure the oil volume in the supplier’s tanks and record the flow meter figures. Bunkering starts after all is ready. I should order the duty engineer to take sounding all the time, especially at the beginning and at the end of bunkering each tank. My duty engineers should pay attention to the oil pressure, the temperature and the oil sample to be taken and used as evidence in the future. Lastly, I should not sign the receipts, regardless of any delay, until quantities of the bunkered oil are confirmed. I should also note down any dispute over the quantity or adverse specifications of bunkers taken on the receipt and advise the company. I should bear the following precautions in my mind during bunkering. Before bunkering, I need to make sure that all scuppers are plugged and cemented. I should stop ballasting, de-ballasting and taking fresh water on board whist bunkering, if possible. If I have to do all the jobs together, I should take all care to prevent an overflow of water and fuel oil. If the decks become awash due to such water overflow or rain, then bunkering should be stopped whilst the scuppers are being drained.
5. Please tell me the minimum safe oxygen percentage for the safety of the workers in an enclosed space. Please describe the procedures of entry into and work in enclosed spaces?
答：More than 18% and no more than 23% of oxygen in an enclosed space will be OK for the safety of the workers.
The procedures are as follow First, I should prepare an entry permit to be signed by the Master. Second, before entry is allowed, all the relevant manholes should be opened for ventilation. Third, the air and surrounding of the enclosed space should be tested to see whether it is safe. Fourth, necessary equipment like the fire extinguisher, lights, communication equipments should be carried by the crew when entering.
Fifth, before entry into an enclosed space, a meeting regarding the work procedure should be held. Lastly, when someone is working in a enclosed space, good communication between the crew inside and the crew outside should be maintained and the emergency rescue team should stand by for any rescue work. When entering, at least one of the crew inside is to do the lookout job. During the crew’s stay in the space, ventilation should be continuously on to provide enough oxygen.
6. What is a “Bunkering Plan”?
答：A bunkering plan is made according to the owner’s and / or charterer’s order, the passage (voyage) plan, and capacity of the tanks, oil ROB, and so on. A bunkering plan is made by the Chief Engineer and approved by the Master and the company. Generally, the volume of the bunkered oil shouldn’t exceed 85% of tank capacity.
7. What will you do if the oil supplied by the oil company is less than the agreed amount after bunkering?
答：Receipts should not be signed, regardless of any delay, until quantities are confirmed by all parties concerned. Any dispute over the quantity or adverse specifications of bunker taken shall be noted on the fuel receipt and the company should be advised accordingly.
8. Did you ever encounter any mechanic problems on board your previous vessels? How did you handle them? It is suggested to answer this question frankly and honestly.
9. The ISM Code requires preventive maintenance schedules. How do you make your maintenance schedules?
答：According to the ISM Code, the preventive maintenance plan is made based on the ship’s “Planned Maintenance System” and the machinery running hour records. This plan should be made on an annual basis (or a five-year basis). Usually, the monthly maintenance schedules are made based on the annual preventive maintenance schedules are made based on the annual preventive maintenance plan and the basic occasional maintenance work.
10. Have you ever been to the US ports? Are you familiar with the USCG inspections?
Some of the useful words you may use when you answer the question: US ports: New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Tampa, Houston, Mississippi River, etc. USCG refers to the US coast guards. The most important thing in US is the sanitation (hygiene). Besides, fire fighting equipments (FFE) and life saving apparatus (LSA) and training drills must be well prepared for check.

1. What do you know about the “SOPEP”?
答：SOPEP means Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan. The SOPEP should contain (but not limited to) the following contents.
(1) Procedures to be followed by the Master or other crew in case of oil pollution.
(2) Pollution reporting system and the authority or persons to be contacted in the event of pollution including the telephone numbers etc.
(3) Detailed description of actions to be taken immediately by persons on board to reduce or control the discharge of oil after the incident.
(4) List of oil spill response equipment to be maintained and prepared on board. (Remover, sprayer, oil absorbent, saw dust, sand, waste rags, scoop, shovels, buckets, bamboo brooms, portable pump, protective clothing, portable containers). The essence of the Plan is to avoid any possible oil leakage and oil pollution. Simply speaking, SOPEP should include such things as the emergency contacts (telephone and other communication means, address etc.), the equipment used in dealing with oil pollution, the muster list for oil pollution, the report procedure when the accident happen etc. SOPEP is compulsory on board most of the ships according to the ISM code. IOPP is the certificate for the vessel that is qualified for the requirements issued by the Class on oil pollution prevention.
2. What are the possible causes of crankshaft failure?
答： Too big or too small clearance between bush and shaft is one of the most possible reasons . Other reasons include material problem, dirtiness of the lube oil, uneven loading  in each cylinder, bad lubricating ，and deformation of frame and bedplate.
3. What actions should be taken when there is oil overflow on deck during bunkering?
答：(1) Stop pumping and other operations first。
(2) Ring the alarm immediately 。
(3) Crew should come to their respective position and take actions immediately according to the SOPEP。
(4) If there is a possibility of fire, the Muster List for fire should be followed 。
(5) After finishing all the actions, records should be made on what has happened。
(6) Draw lessons from the incident to avoid future reoccurrence of the same kind of incident
4. Explain the important things when you take over from the previous Chief Engineer？
答： I shall familiarize myself with the following
(1) The engine department personnel 。
(2) The SMS manuals and other documents on board。
(3) Conditions of the vessel, the engine and the equipment to see whether there are any problems left 。
(4) Any outstanding claims and incident reports in the service period of the previous Chief Engineer should be cleared。
(5) Engine logbook。
(6) The ROB volume of the fuel oil, the diesel oil, lube oil and chemicals。
(7) CMS survey items。
(8) PMS overdue items and relevant reports After finishing all the items in the checklist for handover, we two shall sign our names for evidence, one copy of which with the signature of the master shall be sent to the company.
5. Please explain what the Chief Engineer’s Standing Order is? What does Night Order include?
答：It is basically the Chief Engineer’s own set of instructions and orders for the operation of the engine department. The orders should include any particular operating procedures that the Chief Engineer wishes to emphasize. The set of standing orders and procedures must include the following: Operating procedures for main engine Operating procedures for auxiliary engine Watch procedures UMS procedures When to call the Chief Engineer Emergency shutdown procedures Daily monitoring and logs Arrival/Departure procedures Operation of steering gear and test procedures Bunkering procedures Safe procedures in the engine room Duties of junior engineers and ratings Different vessels may lave different contents concerning the standing order of the Chief Engineer. But basically, the contents above should be covered. The standing order should be put in the engine control room and in the cabin of the Chief Engineer. The night order should include such things as the warnings, lookout and when to call the Chief Engineer etc. The C/E needs to prepare night order every night before he goes to sleep.
6. What is the UMS? Do you have any experience on UMS?
答： Under what circumstances the engine rooms can not is operated in UMS way? UMS means Unmanned (unattended) Machinery Space. I have experienced UMS on board one ship. Under the following circumstances, the engine room cannot be operated in UMS way:
(1) When fire detection and extinguishing system are not fully operational。
(2) When main engine monitoring, control and alarm system are not fully operational 。
(3) When key auxiliary equipment or its controls and alarm system are not fully operational。
(4) The instruction from the Master demands that the engine room is to be manned。
(5) When arrival/departure in port。
(6) During cargo operation and on other occasions when the Chief Engineer determines that the engine room should remain manned
7. When do you apply emergency shutdown procedures and what do you shut down?
答： Emergency shutdown includes ：
(1) main engine emergency shutdown 。
(2) ventilation emergency shutdown。
(3) fuel oil valves emergency shutdown。
(4) Sky light quick closing。
(5) ventilator quick closing damper. Emergency shutdown are used when emergency situations (e.g. fire etc) happens.
8. What do the engine room safety procedures include?
答：The safety procedures include the procedures for maintenance work, overhaul and lifting subjects, high-location and multi-layer，hull side work, hot work, entry into enclosed space, cleaning and painting, using steel bottle and so on.
9. Name some critical (important) equipment in the engine room on board your last vessel.？
答：According to the SMS manuals of the company on board my last vessel, the following engines and machine are critical equipment: Steering gear, winch and windlass, emergency battery, generator and emergency generator, main engines, life-boat engine, fire extinguisher pump, oil-water separator. Different companies may name different critical equipment on board different ships. Anyway, critical equipment should be given full care in daily work and should be checked and recorded periodically. As far as I know, some companies just name main engine, steering gear, and generator as critical equipment. Some other companies also include winch, mooring equipment, lifeboat engine etc. on the critical equipment list.
10. Under what conditions is hot work not allowed?
答：Hot work is not allowed under the following conditions.
(1) During cargo operation when handling flammable cargoes unless the ship has obtained permission from terminal or port authority。
(2) During bunkering。
(3) In enclosed spaces or where atmosphere is suspicious。
(4) On the top of the oil tanks, or any bulkhead or deck bordering on oil tanks。
(5) When vessel is alongside。
(6) Some other occasions that the Chief Engineer and the Master think it not allowable。
(7) Under heavy weather condition。

1. What is ILO Convention147? What is ISGOTT? What is COLREGS 1972?

答：1）、 ILO Convention 147 is The Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147) (and its Protocol of 1996). This rule is made by the International Labor Organization Conference. In this Convention, the minimum internationally acceptable labor standards for seamen in merchant ships are stipulated. Convention No. 147 requires the flag State to adopt minimum standards relating to safety, social security, and shipboard conditions of employment and living arrangements to be observed in merchant shipping registered under any flag.
2）、ISGOTT means International safety Guidelines for oil Tankers and Terminals.
3）、COLREGS means Convention on international regulations for preventing collisions at sea. These two are normal publications on board the vessel.
2. How often did the superintendent of your last vessel come on board for inspection? How will you cooperate with the superintendent of the company in the future?
答：Twice a year. But for other vessels, the superintendents may come on the board more often than this. The superintendents come on board to check the ship’s maintenance, the crew and management situation on board and put forward some suggestions. I will respect the superintendent and try to make his work easier. Besides, during his stay on board, I will discuss with him on some important matters concerning the maintenance of the machines and the management of the engine crew.
3、 During bunkering, what flag should you hoist?
答： The B flag should be hoisted in the daytime and red lights at port sides should be turned on at night.
4. What are the possible reasons for the sudden stoppage of the main engine?
答：(1) The cooling water may have got some problem (most engines have got high temperature alarm only) 。
(2) Over-speed of the engine 。
(3) Low lube oil pressure。
(4) Oil mist detector alarm may be on。
5. What do you usually talk about in the Safety Meeting on board a ship?
答： The safety meeting is held at least once a month and there should be a minutes after the meeting. The safety meeting is chaired by the Master. At the meeting, the Master shall review the minutes of last meeting and highlight the areas to be improved and rectified. Each department head shall report their overall work at the meeting. The accidents, incidents and non-conformities found in last month will be discussed and checked to see whether the non-conformities have been closed or not. Officers and Engineers are required to deal with the unfinished matters. Matters requiring coordination between the engine and deck department will also be discussed.
6. What ranks should not be allowed to have the shore leave at the same time?
答：In view of the jobs on board, the following positions and ranks can not be allowed to have shore leave at the same time: the Master and Chief Officer; the Chief Engineer and First Engineer; the Chief Engineer and Electrician; the Bosun and Pumpman (in tankers); the Chief Cook and Second Cook (or mess boy); the Chief Officer and Pumpman (in tankers).
7. What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rate on board?
答： According to the STCW95, the BAC shall not be more than 0.08% by weight any time when being tested, but the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) requires the BAC to be no more than 0.04%. watch-keepers are not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverage 4 hours before their watch.
8. What should a Muster List include? What kind of Must Lists did you have on the last vessel? A Muster List should include the following points
(1) Details of emergency alarm signal。
(2) How ship-abandon order will be given。
(3) Substitutes for the key personnel who may become disabled。
(4) The boat to which each person belongs and duties to be performed in an abandon ship situation。
(5) The specific group to which a person belongs and general duties during various emergencies 。
(6) Any additional or specific duties。
(7) Specific assembly point of each group The Muster Lists must be ready before a ship sails We had the following Muster Lists on board the last vessel: General emergency, fire fighting, fire in the engine, emergency steering, abandon-ship, man overboard, oil prevention station.
9. Who is a Qualified Individual (QI)?
答： A Qualified Individual under OPA 90 of the United States is very similar to d Designated Person of the shipowner under the ISM system. But according to the US law on pollution prevention, this person is the designated person to be nominated by the shipowner in charge of the safety and oil prevention affairs when the vessels come to the US ports. This person should be a US citizen and is familiar with the US laws and rules on oil prevention.
10. When heating the fuel oil, what should you pay special attention to?
答：I should pay attention to the temperature to make sure that the fuel oil is not too hot to damage the cargo in the holds, especially when loading grain, paper, wood flammable cargo, etc. On board modern ships, the fuel oil shift pump system has replaced the steam heating pipe system in oil tanks. This system can prevent the fuel oil from being overheated to damage the cargo。

1. Do you know the Oil Pollution Act 1990 (OPA 1990)?
答：This Act is a law on the prevention of oil pollution in US territorial waters. It was passed in 1990 by the US congress. It mainly deals with the responsibilities, the indemnities, prevention and cleaning of the pollutants in the sea. The oil tanker crew must be familiar with this ACT.
2. Have you ever lifted pistons of a main engine or generator? What procedure do you know?
答：Yes, I have experienced many overhaul work of main engine and auxiliary engines. The lifting of pistons shall follow the following procedure: Firstly, a preparatory meeting shall be held and all the precautions to be taken shall be discussed. In the meeting, the personnel responsible shall be designated. General and specific tools shall be prepared for the job. All equipment should be checked before the job can be started. When the cylinder cover is opened, the surface of the cylinder liner should be checked thoroughly. Some cleaning work including grinding ridge should be carried out. After that, the piston can be lifted out and cleaned. The parameters of the cylinder liner, piston, piston rod, piston rings, grooves and bearing clearances should be measured.
3. Why does the turbine super-charger surge (喘振)?
答： There are basically five main reasons. High backpressure of the exhaust manifold and low flowing quantity; Rapid change in load Insufficient supply of fuel oil or bad combustibility (1) Failure of turbine blade, nozzle and diffuser (2) Narrowed scavenging of air passage or scavenge fire。
4. Do you know something about the internal and the external audit? During the internal audit, how will you cooperate with the auditors?
答：Usually, the internal audit is carried out once or twice a year in accordance with the owner’s SMS manuals. It is under the charge of the Designated Person (DP), or at the discretion of the DP. The Master should hold a pre-audit meeting with the officers and engineers after receiving the audit notice. The Master should make sure that the best cooperation is provided to the auditors of the company and the documents to be audited are well prepared. The external audit is carried out by the professional auditors. If nonconformities and observations are found either in the internal or external audit, the ship should make rectification in the stipulated time.
5. How should you deal with the garbage on board the ship?
答：MARPOL 73/78 provides for detailed regulations on garbage disposal. Usually, any shipping company should have its own Garbage Management Plan in its SMS manuals. Usually, the Chief Engineer or the Chief Officer is the designated person in charge of carrying out the garbage disposal, but all crew on board should follow the garbage management plan. Garbage is disposed in four steps, i.e. collection, separation, processing and disposal. The Chief Engineer or the Chief Officer should make clear records in the Garbage Record Book. The Master has to make sure the Garbage Record Book is available for checks at any time.
The garbage can roughly be divided into two types: the biodegradable and persistent garbage. The former refer to those that can be rotten by themselves, such as food paper, and wood; the latter refers to those that can not rotten themselves, such as plastic, mental etc. the persistent garbage can never be thrown into the sea.
6. How would you balance your engine after taking over power diagram? What is the use of VIT?
答：This is done by adjustment of the individual pump racks on fuel injection pump. It is usually carried out after careful analysis of the results of the power diagram (indicator cards) wherein we can decide which units need adjustment. Exhaust temperatures have to be carefully monitored since this will nearly indicate the Pmax condition. Pump rack scale should be limited to within 3 mm deviation. If after adjustment and results are negative, components such as piston rings, fuel valves, fuel injection pump, exhaust valve etc. have to be inspected at first opportunity. VIT or variable injection timing is a device further incorporated on fuel injection pump to automatically adjust maximum combustion pressure by changing the position of the pump barrel (changes the pump timing), which in turn control the amount of fuel delivered. It is usually advantageous to improve the main engine running at part load to save consumption of fuel oil because the main engine may keep the proper maximum combustion pressure in comparison with the pressure at full load.
7. Before overhauling work is done, what preparations should you make?
答： In every machinery overhaul, preparation is extremely important. The preparations usually include the following:
(1) Overhaul schedule (time and place to be decided)。
(2) Anticipate the conditions and/or activities at the place of overhaul。
(3) Check necessary spares and special tools that will be required 。

(4) Make necessary requisitions for spares if necessary 。
(5) Discuss the matter with the Master and ask for his approval 。
(6) Inform concerned persons of the planned overhauling work 。
(7) Conduct “toolbox meeting”, which should cover the following items: Personal protective equipment Specific duties/assignments of each crew Time allotted for the overhauling work Safety measure to be taken Work to be discussed with the aid of drawing, finished plan Tools and spares to be used Checklist to be done prior to overhaul Person to report to in case of doubt or trouble After the overhaul, I should make sure of the following: There is no leakage and that all parts have been replaced in order. All tools used are secured in their respective location. The spot of overhaul is cleaned. The machinery is tried out for proper operation and function. All safety devices are checked.
8. When you take over a vessel, in order that the turnover is smooth and that you won’t meet some problems in your future jobs, what would you normally be careful about?
答：I shall talk with the outgoing Chief Engineer regarding the following: The machinery condition, status of the engine tools, spares and special tool, any forthcoming activities, inventory, port itineraries; survey and dry docking status, oil record book, engine logbook,log abstract and other important items such bunkering, PSC check, internal and eternal audits. I shall make a round of inspections throughout the ship together with the outgoing Chief Engineer and note down any unusual condition or abnormal observed.
9、 What is “weardown” of a propeller shaft? How is it measured? How much clearance would you consider to be normal?
答：Weardown of a propeller shaft refers to the drop of the shaft or the wear of shaft bearing. The bridge gauge or weardown gauge is used to measure wear of the shaft in relation to its own housing in a static condition. I would consult the instruction manual for the normal clearance.
10. Name some machines that would require attention and preparation prior to IOPP survey？
答： I should pay attention to the following machines and documents before IOPP inspection: Oily-water separator, ODM (oil discharge monitor), incinerator, bilge pumping equipment, sewage plant, oil content meter, quick closing valves, garbage management and oil record book. I should make sure that all these machines are well prepared for survey and questioning。

1. What is “critical speed”? Why is it important to avoid this when the ship is in maneuvering or steaming?
答：Critical speed is a term related to the engine RPM where the engine is not allowed to operate continuously. Critical speed will cause abnormal vibration, excessive loading condition and high torques, which in turn will cause damage to the hull and equipment of the ship.
2. Why is it important to have marine growth protection on the vessel?
答： It is because marine growth causes harmful and troubling effects on ship’s seawater cooling system, which could create problems on ship’s operation later on. It also causes the ship’s performance to decrease (reduced speed) due to fouling of the hull promoting frictional resistance against the water.
3. Are you in favor of regular meetings on board? How will you conduct a management meeting?
答：I think that regular management meetings are very important to the safe operation of the engine room or even the whole ship. We can discuss some important management and technical questions at the meeting. We can also improve our communication with each other through regular meetings. Thus, it is conducive to the cultivation of teamwork spirit and harmonious atmosphere.
4. What special tools and spare parts do you use for docking repair?
答：Special spanners, hydraulic tools, O-shape sealing ring and special measuring tools.
5. How do you prevent the fire in the scavenging air box?
答：Considerable deposits of dirty oil, sludge in the scavenging air space, can be caused fire. The draining pipes of the space must be checked carefully and keep them not to be blocked. The scavenging air space should be checked and cleaned regularly. The cylinder lubricator should be adjusted properly and all cylinder liners, piston and piston rings should be dept in good condition.
6. What preparation should you do for entering a port?
答：The following preparations for entering a port should be made and confirmed by Chief Engineer. a) Astern test in steps from ahead to astern b) Running of generator and other necessary equipment c) Check alarm system d) Steering gear test with 12 hours prior entry to a port e) Other necessary matters。
7. Please give a brief description of fuel oil system?
答：The fuel oil system includes the equipments and mechanisms used to transfer the fuel oil from storage places to the combustion in the cylinder. The fuel oil system can be divided into two parts, the supply and the injection system. The function of the supply system is providing the fuel oil from the storage places to the injection system. The function of the injection system is providing the proper amount of fuel oil at the right time and in a suitable condition for combustion process.
8. What equipment in engine room is usually inspected during the PSC safety inspection?
答：Skylights quick-closed gear, the ventilator quick-closed damper, emergency generator, emergency switchboard, emergency steering gear, emergency fire pump, the oily water separator, the incinerator and the sewage treatment plant.
9. What do you know about the ISM code and SMS? How many chapters are there in the ISM Code (as amended)?
答：The ISM code is the International Safety Management Code. The purpose of this Code is to provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. The objectives of the Code are to ensure safety at sea, prevention of human injury or loss of life, and avoidance of damage to the environment, in particular to the marine environment and to property. The newly-amended ISM Code right now has 16 years SMS means safety management system, and this system is mad based on the 16 elements of ISM Code, which is a compulsory part SOLAS 74. The shipowner or manager cannot get Document of Compliance (DOC) and SMC without audited Safety Management Certificate (SMC) by Class designated by the flag registry country administration. Every company should develop, implement and maintain a safety management system (SMS).
10. What do Observation, Non-conformity and Major non-conformity in the ISM Code mean respectively?
答：Observation means a statement of fact made during a safety management audit and substantiated by objective evidence. Non-conformity means an observed situation where objective evidence indicates the nonfulfillment of a specified requirement. Major non-conformity means an identifiable deviation that poses a serious threat to the safety of personnel or the ship or a serious risk to the environment that requires immediate corrective action and includes the lack of effective and systematic implementation of requirement of this Code.
11. What items do you need to put down in the Oil Record Book?
答：The matters related to the following items shall be entered in the Oil Record Book every time: a. Ballasting or cleaning of fuel oil tanks. b. Discharge of Dirty ballast or cleaning water from fuel oil tanks. c. Collection and disposal of oily residual substance (sludge). d. Non-automatic discharge or disposal otherwise of bilge in the machinery space. e. Automatic discharge or disposal otherwise of bilge in the machinery space. f. Conditions of the oil discharge monitoring and control system. g. Accidental or other exceptional discharge of oil. h. Supply of fuel oil and bulk-loaded lubricating oil. i. Other work and necessary matters.