service pumps. The fireroom watch may also assist
the burnerman in lighting fires in the boiler. This
watch may also assist in shifting suction tanks on
fuel oil, fresh water, feedwater, and shifting
cooling water strainers and fuel oil strainers.
THROTTLE WATCH
The tasks of a throttleman at the main engines
are critical. Orders from the bridge concerning the
movement of the propellers must be complied with
immediately. To make correct adjustments for the
required speed, you must keep a close watch on
the revolutions-per-minute (rpm) indicator on the
throttle board. You have to open or close the
throttle, as required, to achieve or maintain the
necessary rpm. Besides handling the throttle itself,
you may also have to operate a variety of
associated valves; accurately log all speed changes
in the Engineer’s Bell Book; visually check all
gauges (pressure, temperature, vacuum, and so
forth) installed on the throttle board; and keep
the petty officer in charge informed of any
abnormal gauge readings.
You should become thoroughly familiar with
all the gauges, instruments, and indicators on the
throttle board to know what the normal readings
are. Some of these include the steam, feedwater,
and cooling water pressure gauges, steam
temperature thermometers, the rpm indicator, the
EOT, gauges indicating the vacuum obtained in
the main engine low-pressure turbine, and others.
Whenever an opportunity presents itself, study the
throttle board and ask questions. Do not hesitate
to ask the operator which readings are normal.
Ask which readings are appropriate for steaming
conditions. After learning the difference between
a normal reading and an abnormal reading, you
will be able to help prevent a major casualty, You
will recognize an abnormal reading and can report
it to the petty officer in charge of the watch.
ENGINE ROOM
UPPER-LEVEL WATCH
When you are assigned to the duties of the
upper-level watch in the engine room, you will
have to perform the following tasks:
. Record periodic temperature and pressure
readings from various gauges on, or
connected to, the upper-level machinery.
. Make required valve adjustments to
correct conditions indicated by slight
variations from the normal readings, and
report unusual conditions to the petty
officer in charge.
. Maintain a normal water level in the
deaerating tank, if it is located in the
engine room, by adjusting the excess and
makeup feed valves.
l Light off and secure turbogenerators and
other upper-level machinery, as ordered.
. Maintain an adequate gland seal pressure
on the turbogenerator.
ENGINE ROOM
LOWER-LEVEL WATCH
You will be assigned to the engine room lower
level to assist the lower-level watch (pumpman).
You will be involved with a number of pumps and
other auxiliary machinery. Some of the pumps
and equipment with which you will work are the
main lube oil pumps and lube oil coolers; the main
condensate pumps and main condenser; the main
feed pumps; the main feed booster pumps; the
fire pumps; and when they are installed in the
engine room, air compressors.
Besides learning the proper procedures for
starting, operating, and stopping the pumps and
equipment, you must make various checks of the
operating machinery. Some of the checks for the
main feed pump, the lube oil pump, and the main
condensate pump are described in the sections that
follow.
Main Feed Pump
You will have to comply with the posted
instructions and safety precautions for the
machinery and equipment at the main feed pump
station. When assisting the pumpman, you will
also perform the following duties:
. Maintain the main feed pump discharge
pressure at a predetermined value by
adjusting the constant pressure governor.
. Keep the main feed pump bearings at the
proper temperature by regulating the flow
of water through the feed pump lube oil
cooler.
. Check to ensure the lube oil pressure to the
bearings is correct.
1-21
