3f) Pre-start checks and start up of the Diesel Main
Engine!
Polar Star is equipped with six main diesel engines that are used almost
always for general seakeeping and primarily for icebreaking. For this
reason, these engines need to be on hot standby when they are not being
used. This is completed via a blowdown every 12 hours on the engines.
The Engineer of the Watch (EOW) is in charge of ensuring that the Oiler
and Security Watch standers are completing proper pre-rounds,
blowdowns, and start-ups of the engines. To help ensure that no steps are
skipped and proper accountability is taken a "MDE and SSDG Pre-Start
Blow Down's" sheet must be filled out by the Oiler or Security Watch
stander as they complete the blowdown. As per the sheet, the proper
stops for pre-starting an MDE are as follows:
Pre-Checks:
1. Check all liquid levels:
a. Lube oil sump level (44- Full)
b. Jacket water expansion tank level (1/8-%5)
c. Govern oil level (4-Full)
2. Ensure the filter pot valves are open (valves #5 & #6), and the
drain lines are closed (valves #7A & #7B).
3. Start the pre-lube pump and pre-lube heater from the hours prior
to the respective auxiliary space for blowdown.
4. For engine starts, ensure the jacket water after cooler and generator
heaters have been on for at least 4 hours prior to start-up
5. Check that the jacket waler and lube oil temperatures are above
100F
6. Make a general inspection of the Mark that there will be no
interference to engine operation.
Engine!
Polar Star is equipped with six main diesel engines that are used almost
always for general seakeeping and primarily for icebreaking. For this
reason, these engines need to be on hot standby when they are not being
used. This is completed via a blowdown every 12 hours on the engines.
The Engineer of the Watch (EOW) is in charge of ensuring that the Oiler
and Security Watch standers are completing proper pre-rounds,
blowdowns, and start-ups of the engines. To help ensure that no steps are
skipped and proper accountability is taken a "MDE and SSDG Pre-Start
Blow Down's" sheet must be filled out by the Oiler or Security Watch
stander as they complete the blowdown. As per the sheet, the proper
stops for pre-starting an MDE are as follows:
Pre-Checks:
1. Check all liquid levels:
a. Lube oil sump level (44- Full)
b. Jacket water expansion tank level (1/8-%5)
c. Govern oil level (4-Full)
2. Ensure the filter pot valves are open (valves #5 & #6), and the
drain lines are closed (valves #7A & #7B).
3. Start the pre-lube pump and pre-lube heater from the hours prior
to the respective auxiliary space for blowdown.
4. For engine starts, ensure the jacket water after cooler and generator
heaters have been on for at least 4 hours prior to start-up
5. Check that the jacket waler and lube oil temperatures are above
100F
6. Make a general inspection of the Mark that there will be no
interference to engine operation.
