ENGINE RATING INTERVIEW PREPARATION - DETAILED GUIDE
1. Role and Duties of Engine Rating
- Assist engineers in engine room operations and maintenance.
- Clean machinery, bilges, and equipment.
- Maintain tools and keep the engine room clean.
- Stand watch, monitor machinery parameters, report abnormalities.
- Carry out oiling and greasing of moving parts.
2. Watchkeeping Duties
- Monitor temperatures, pressures, and fluid levels.
- Record readings in the logbook accurately.
- Check for leaks, unusual noises, or vibrations.
- Inform the duty engineer of any abnormality.
3. Maintenance Tasks (Detailed)
- Cleaning: Strainers, filters, purifiers, bilge areas to prevent blockages.
- Assisting in Overhauls: Supporting engineers during machinery inspections
or repairs.
- Lubrication: Applying grease or oil to bearings, gears, moving parts.
- Bunkering Assistance: Preparing spill trays, checking hoses, monitoring fuel
flow, maintaining communication.
4. Basic Machinery Knowledge (Detailed)
- Diesel Engine Principles: 4-stroke (intake, compression, power, exhaust) vs
2-stroke (combines cycles in two strokes).
- Fuel System: Pumps, injectors, filters delivering clean fuel at correct pressure.
- Lubrication System: Circulates oil to reduce friction and cool parts.
- Cooling System: Seawater and freshwater systems remove engine heat.
- Purifier: Separates water and dirt from fuel or lube oil.
- Air Compressor: Provides compressed air for starting engines or tools.
- Pump: Moves fluids through fuel, lube, or cooling systems.
- Boiler: Produces steam for heating or auxiliary systems.
5. Basic Safety Training & Pre-Sea Knowledge (Detailed)
- PPE: Helmet, gloves, goggles, ear protection, safety boots, boiler suit.
- Emergency Signals: Fire (continuous alarm), abandon ship (six short + one
long), man overboard (continuous sound).
- Firefighting Equipment: Extinguishers, hydrants, hoses, fire suits.
- Enclosed Space Entry: Needs gas checks, permit, standby person before
entry.
- Hot Work: Requires permit, fire watch during welding or cutting.
- Teamwork & Communication: Following chain of command, reporting clearly,
working as a team.
6. Sample Interview Questions and Suggested Answers
Q1: What are your main duties as an engine rating?
A: Assist engineers in daily operations, stand engine room watch, check
oil/water levels, clean machinery, assist during maintenance and bunkering,
ensure safety.
Q2: How do you check the oil level of the main engine?
A: Stop the engine, wait for oil to settle, open the dipstick or sight glass, check
the level, and report to the engineer.
Q3: What will you do if you find a fuel leak?
A: Inform the duty engineer immediately, isolate or contain the leak if safe,
avoid sparks, and follow safety procedures.
Q4: What safety equipment must you wear in the engine room?
A: Helmet, gloves, safety boots, goggles, ear protection, boiler suit (coverall).
Q5: Explain the difference between 4-stroke and 2-stroke engines.
A: 4-stroke completes one power cycle in four strokes; 2-stroke completes it in
two strokes, firing every revolution, making it simpler and more powerful per
size.
Q6: What is the importance of watchkeeping?
A: To continuously monitor machinery, ensure safety, detect early problems,
and maintain smooth operations.
Q7: How do you assist during bunkering operations?
A: Prepare spill equipment, check bunker lines, monitor fuel flow, maintain
communication, follow engineer's instructions.
