Course Description

This course will teach students the fundamental engineering concepts related to the steam and water cycle and steam generation. The students will also learn about various primary and auxiliary engineering systems. The lab familiarizes the students with the safe operation of the engine room and engineering systems on board the training ship and provides students with basic first aid and occupational safety certification. [Lab time required]

This course consists of two 1-hour classes a week for a semester, eight 3-hour labs with practical assessments, and a comprehensive final exam.

Entrance requirements

None

STCW Objectives

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following STCW elements:

Topics

Lecture

  1. Steam Cycle
  2. 4-Stages of the Steam Cycle
  3. Ship/vessel Terminology
  4. Ship Emergency Alarms
  5. PPE
  6. Propulsion Modes: Steam, Diesel, Gas Turbine, Electric
  7. Principles of Thermodynamics
  8. Basic Steam Table
  9. Heat Exchangers
  10. Gages
  11. Intro to Boilers
  12. Intro to Steam Turbines
  13. Condensers
  14. Pressure and Vacuum Conversions (US-METRIC)
  15. Temperature Conversions (US-METRIC)
  16. Intro to Diesel Engines
  17. Confined Spaces
  18. Ladder Safety
  19. LOTO
  20. Valves
  21. Pumps
  22. Fatigue
  23. Electrical Safety
  24. Introduction to Electricity

OSHA Lab

  1. Brief introduction to OSHA
  2. Electrical, general, safety related work practices 1910.331 - 335
  3. Lockout/Tagout Procedures 1910.147
  4. Personal Protective Equipment, Subpart I, 1910.132 - 138
  5. Respiratory Protection, 1910.134
  6. Hearing Protection, 1910.195
  7. Confined Spaces, 1910.146
  8. Hazard Communication 1910.1200 (Material Safety Data Sheets)
  9. Bloodborne Pathogens, 1910.1030
  10. Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention, from 1910 Subparts E and L
  11. Fall Protection – 1926.502 General, guardrails, fall arrest systems
  12. Hand and portable power tools, general, 1910 Subpart P
  13. Machine Guarding, general, 1910 Subpart O

Other objectives

  • Understanding of steam cycle component pressures temperatures and terminology
  • Engine room watch keeping procedures
  • Engine room safe working practices including lock-out-tag-out and confined space
  • Engine room alarm and evacuation procedures and emergency equipment
  • Basic maintenance of machinery and equipment
  • Knowledge of personal safety and social responsibility
  • Safe operation of boilers
  • Fighting fires onboard ship
  • Emergency equipment and emergency procedures
  • Seafarer Fatigue

For more information, see