1. The Most Important Thing That Will Help You Onboard Is Your Knowledge, Hence you Must Have Basic Knowledge Of IC Engines, Purifiers, Compressors, Refrigeration Cycle And Plant, Marine Boiler, Steering Gear, Auxilliary Machinery, Pumps, Framo (for Tankers), Basic Automation, Marine Electro Technology.
2. How Can You Acquire The knowledge?
You Need To Read Books During Your Pre-sea Years, And Remember Just Getting Placements Is Not Enough, If You Are Not Good At Things, You Will Face A Lot Of Problems On Board. Mentioned Here Are The Books You Need Be Thorough With.
For Internal Combustion Engines:
(i) Reeds
(ii) D.K Sanyal
(iii) Lambs Question Answers
All Of These Books Are Good, But It Would Be Better If You Stick To One And Read It Thoroughly Before You Switch To Other, So That You Get The Grasp Of The Topics. In Case You Need Any Assistance Regarding Any Topic , Its Always Advised To Look Up To Internet Or Visit Marinelookout And Find Your Answers.
For Marine Auxiliary Machinery:
(i) HD Mcgeorge.(it Is The Bible For This Subject)
(ii)J.K. Dhar (if You Find Difficulty With Any Topic In McGeorge)
For Marine Boilers:
(i) GTH FLannagan(best Book Throughout Your Career)
(ii) Milton.
3. Things You Need To Learn Onboard.
Always Keep In Mind While Your Training You Are Onboard To First Learn Then Earn. Some Of The Things You Need To Learn Onboard.
(i) Pipe Line Tracing (eg. Bilge , Sludge , Fuel Oil Transfer Line, Fuel Oil Service Line, Lub Oil Transfer Line, S.w.cooling Line, Starting Air Line, Fire Line, Bilge & Ballast Line, Ows Line)
(i) Starting And Stopping Of Every Machinery. For E.g Purifier, Compresser, Freshwater Generator, A/E Etc.
(iii) How To Take Bunker And Internal Transfers.
(iv) Sludge/ Bilge transfer And Shore Discharge Procedores
4.You Should Be Familarised With Recordkeeping,
I) Engine Room Log Book
Ii) Garbage Record Book
Iii) Oil Record Book
Iv) 4/E And 3/E Paper Works
5. You Should Be Well Versed With Terms Like
I) Bunkering
Ii) Sludge Transfer
Iii) Bilge Transfer
Iv) Sounding
At Last, Follow Safety Procedures. Keep Your Mind Always Alert And Aware In The Engine Room To Avoid Any Accidents.