TheRecklessEngineer Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 I know this is OT, but there are a lot of engineery types on here who might like to see what I've been up to. As some of you know, I got pretty bored with a 'normal' life, so I've joined the merchant shipping fleet as an engineer. I'm still in training (and will be for a good while yet), but I've now been let loose on a ship. So to start with, we have 3 of these on board: Wartsila gen sets, 650kW each. 4 cyl, running on either Marine Diesel Oil or Heavy Fuel Oil (horrible nasty gunky stuff, about the viscosity of lube oil at room temp). Main Engines. Massive great things, although quite small as ship engines go. Turbo charged, DI, 4 cyl, 4 stroke, inline 8. Entirely mechanically run, but monitored very closely electronically. Total power is around the 10MW mark and 96.4l per cylinder...and two engines A Big big end... And there are two of these beasts. It's a bit hard to see as I couldn't back up enough to get them both in. Anyone want a power upgrade? Try one of these turbos.... Gearbox. The engines run at 500rpm, and the props are controllable pitch at around 150rpm. The gearbox also has PTO for the propeller hydraulics and yet more alternators. There are rated at a little over 1MW, and supply power to the ship when at sea, and power to the pair of 800kW bowthrusters when manouvering. Now that's a propshaft! They have actually been known to shear upon grounding... Pumps to keep everything cool... And the heat exchangers. In practice, only 1 pump and 1 exchanger are used on this route. The sea is freezing and we have redundancy. We also have coolers for the lube oil noticeable further up between the two engines. I hope someone finds this interesting. I certainly do. It's not the most glamorous ship or location (Ro-ro ferry back and forth across the Irish sea), but I'll move on to something bigger and better when I've qualified - probably cruise ships.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiWhite Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Thanks - I find large engines like this fascinating! I've always wanted to have a poke about on a HUGE ship and stand agog at the size of everything.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatback90 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 which irish ro-ro?? we are travelling dublin holyhead on fri am look out for a white 110 on 91 dl plates with 3 in the front!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Very impressive, just don't go fiddling with bits & best wishes for the new job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthdicky Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Cool stuff, always wonder what sort of stuff lurks beyond where I'm allowed to go on ships! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRecklessEngineer Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 which irish ro-ro?? we are travelling dublin holyhead on fri am look out for a white 110 on 91 dl plates with 3 in the front!! I'm afraid I'm Heysham to Warrenpoint. Very impressive, just don't go fiddling with bits & best wishes for the new job. Moi? Fiddle with stuff? Never! (I actually nearly blacked out the ship yesterday, but we don't mention that to the chief....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatback90 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 ah heysham! had a lovely oh F... moment there once went to sleep in a big deserted carpark waiting for the ferry and woke up under a sign warnining me i was in high risk radiation area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Moi? Fiddle with stuff? Never! (I actually nearly blacked out the ship yesterday, but we don't mention that to the chief....) see finger trouble already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR90 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Good stuff James. That's where I started, did transatlantic RoRo's for a while until they sent them down to help BM and his mates in the Falklands. Changing large components when there's a swell on can be challenging. Sat on a carrier full of aviation gas drifting of SA with a pump room on fire was another of the highlights sent to keep us engineers amused. You'll learn a lot, though I guess now you have to do it all sober. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Looks fascinating would love to have a poke around below decks of a liner or ferry! Best of luck with the new job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest otchie1 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 You have stolen the life I was denied and I hate you. But good luck with it anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defender Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Thats superb thanks for posting some pics very interesting indeed! And I also wish good luck in your new roll...you certainly seem to be enjoying it so far so well done for taking the plunge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zim Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 that makes our engine room look dinky we have 5 big cat's with gennys, but nothing like the size you guys use.... we had a blackout one night whilst being towed, due to a simple mistake the motorman made (forgot to open a valve which changed from sea water cooling (which is used when stationary) to tank water cooling (which is used whilst moving))..... burst a 12" line, water everywhere, welders running around overheating emergency generators welding up new pipework ... all fun ! the motorman left the rig pretty soon afterwards G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboy Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Zim, Your work abode isn't currently parked in Dundee is it?.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazelle Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Have a look at the article starting page 6 of this document. Makes our problems of lifting and working seem small scale! Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zim Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Zim, Your work abode isn't currently parked in Dundee is it?.... thankfully not.... but we've had a few agency hands come on board, who've previously worked on rigs which have since been stacked.... not good G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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