The stem seals control lubication to the valve stem and if they wear build ups of carbon due to over lubrication appear on the stem and the valve sticks and can seize in the guide. Sticky valves can off course contribute to cuts. Once the suction valve leaks and gas passes the stem seal there is no ...

Usually caused by poor valve rotators, and worn guides. Medium speeds are famous for this. The exhaust valve is removable in a pocket sometimes and the intake valve is never looked at. Water can be a problem in the air from intercoolers and can cut valves.

regards
jimmy

We are now seeing Mr Schettino was not in command of the Costa Concordia when she went aground. Another Officer was in command. Mr Schettino was distracted by a telephone call. We have heard the the classification of a ships master as "Under God". It is a pity we do not see it. I am not ab...

I did not notice this question till recently and off course to repace a blade or part of a blade you would use the burn on technique. The casting of a propeller only needs the pattern for one blade and the hob. The whole propeller is swept in to the mould. When you need a blade the blade pattern is ...

The wonderful Allis Chalmers engine of Milwakee took a bit of beating, It was emergency on a number of T2 tankers I sailed on along with the wavy headed boilers. A pre war diesel for farm tractors. A little bit hot on these ships meant for one trip in wartime still sailing in the early eighties. Goi...

When we time an engine we look for the commencement of injection, this is directly tied up to fuel pump Lift in the older engines. It will be around two millimeters of lift. The timing of injection can be around 20 degrees before top dead centre compression stroke in a four stroke. The injection tak...

The older steamships burned residual fuel, it was not a blend like today. We changed burners and cleaned tips every four hours. The first thing the watch did was a complete burner change took about half an hour. There was so much muck about the furnace front we were in with the slice to cut it away....

The older steamships burned residual fuel, it was not a blend like today. We changed burners and cleaned tips every four hours. The first thing the watch did was a complete burner change took about half an hour. There was so much muck about the furnace front we were in with the slice to cut it away....

I have a combined ticket steam and motor. Motor second first then steam endorsement, steam chief and motor endorsement. I do remember stoking a coalburner, single ended double furnace, she burned smokeless fuel. Triple expansion steam, exhaust overboard. Also oil fired, Saacke burners , scotch boile...

I had been of passenger ships in the sixties, but in 1985 I took an agency job with Clyde Marine in Glasgow and the vessel was the SS Amerikanis. Amerikanis means American Maiden and there was not many maidens on that ship. She was an old steamer built for Union Castle in 1952 named Kenya Castle. I ...

I served my apprenticeship with a firm who made anchors chains windlasses etc what we called ground tackle. They recommend, get the ship into position, stop, drop the anchor till it bottoms, brake up. Go slow astern and pay out chain as you go. Minimum one shackle of chain 90 feet, laid on the botto...

News just arriving another cruise ship disabled by engine room fire the Azamara Quest. It is near the Philippines. They are saying owner Royal Caribbean, Azamara Cruises. 1000 persons on board. Some injuries no deaths so far
Not good news for the cruise industry.

Press reporting the estimates of salvage costs are in excess of $100,000,000 and will probably be the most difficult salvage operation ever. At least two large rocks have penetrated the starboard side and may be helping to hold her steady. She is written off as a total loss.

We can see the damage on the port side of the vessel but we do not know the damage to the starboard side and this could be a problem in salvage. We are hearing today Mr Schettino came to the bridge without his spectacles, the Chief Officer had to set up the radars for him he could not do it due to h...

From interviews with the passengers it would seem the power source on the Allegra was a portable generator from the fishing vessel and the Allegra was completely dead. She had no food available and I wonder if they would not open the fridges to feed the passengers to minimise losses in the future. T...