Maritime English Exercises for Ship Engineer Cadets on Marine Diesel Engine Operations and Maintenance

These Maritime English exercises are specially designed for ship engineer cadets to strengthen both technical vocabulary and real-world communication skills. Covering four key areas—engine information, start/stop procedures, crankshaft deflection, and cylinder head overhaul—they combine listening, fill-in-the-blank practice, translation tasks, and matching activities. By working through these exercises, cadets gain the language and understanding needed to perform safely and confidently in the engine room while preparing for international maritime standards.

 

 


Exercise 1 – First Video (Engine Information)

Fill in the blanks while listening:

I will explain here the outline for the engine __________. First of all, I will explain the main __________.
There are two types in the rated speed: __________ RPM and __________ RPM. Recall accordingly __________ and __________.

Both of them have six __________ and bore stroke of __________ × __________ mm.
Other main items are as you are __________.

The rotation direction of crankshaft is __________ viewed from __________ side.
Cylinder is aligned in __________ order. Number one cylinder, number two cylinder viewed from __________ side.

The __________ order is as you’re watching in the video. The operation side of the engine is the __________ side viewed from flywheel side.

Viewed from this operation side: __________, __________ motor, fuel pressure regulating __________, fuel __________, turbocharger, air cooler, and cooling water __________ valve are laid out as shown.

Viewed from the anti-operation side or anti-flywheel side: automatic backwashing __________ of lube oil, lube oil __________, lube oil __________ valve, lube oil __________, and cooling water __________ are laid out.

Familiarize with the location of each device to handle them promptly in the __________.

Wear proper __________. Don’t wear __________ clothes because they are __________.
Depending on the type of work, wear protective tools such as __________, __________, __________, __________, safety __________, __________, and foot __________.

Conduct the work by observing the basic notes for __________, cautions in __________ and work __________ specified in the instructions and the engine __________ label.


Exercise 2 – Second Video (Engine Start/Stop Procedures)

Fill in the blanks while listening:

It’s important to check the engine before the __________ and after the __________ and conduct the related works in order to keep it in good __________.

I will explain part of the work. The first thing is explanation for the preparation before the __________.
Check that __________ oil drops respectively from each part of the __________ rocker arm shaft, piston pin, __________ pin, main __________, and swing __________ while conducting the turning with the pressure indicator of all cylinders open in the state of operating the __________ oil priming pump.

Then conduct air __________ for lube oil __________, fuel oil __________, fuel __________ and so on.
Further lubricate by hand the governor __________ and the control __________ and check that they work __________.

Move the start stop __________ from run position to stop position and vice versa and check that the __________ of fuel injection pump first lever shaft of governor __________ and __________ work smoothly.

Check if the indicator __________ of the governor control shaft indicates the graduation between __________ to __________.

In addition, when __________ the engine after the overhaul, check that no part or __________ has been left in the crank __________.

Check that the __________ of bolts at each part has not been neglected. And if the valve mechanism is disassembled, check the __________ between suction exhaust valve __________.

If fuel oil, cooling water, lube oil and others are pulled in the __________, it may lead to troubles such as water __________ or oil __________ and it is dangerous. Therefore, conduct air __________ to prevent abnormality.

Set the start stop lever to the __________ position after setting the operation point changeover switch to the engine and open the __________ indicator of all cylinders. Press start switch for a few seconds to conduct air running.

After finishing air running, __________ the pressure indicator of all cylinders. Set the start stop lever to the __________ position and prepare for the start.

Now I will explain the procedure for __________ the engine during the ordinary run. Block the __________. Run the engine for about __________ minutes with no load and then stop it.

Among HFO specified engines. However, for the engine specified for start stop with __________, see to it that HFO will never be left in the __________ when the engine is stopped after the fuel is changed from HFO to MDO.

Set the start stop lever in the __________ position. Open the pressure indicator and discharge the __________ from the combustion chamber by conducting the __________ running in the same procedure as taken before starting the engine.

Open and close the __________ of each system beforehand according to the conditions for the stop. For the prevention of __________, however, do not open the side cover of __________ for __________ minutes after stopping the engine.


Exercise 3  – Translation Task

Instruction for Students:

Listen carefully and read the following technical script. Your task is to translate the entire text into your native language (e.g., Persian, Italian, Tagalog, Hindi, etc.) as accurately as possible. Pay attention to technical terms (e.g., crankshaft deflection, deflection gauge, exhaust bottom, BDC). Avoid replacing technical words with “simple” words in your language—use proper technical equivalents.

Text for Translation:

I’ll explain the measuring procedure of crankshaft deflection when overhauling the main bearing or when running the engine every 2,000 to 2,500 hours.

If the crankshaft deflection enlarges excessively, the crankshaft may be broken and may result in an accident. Consequently, periodically measure the crankshaft deflection.

Measure it when the engine is cold. Measure the deflection by the exclusive tool. Open the pressure indicator of all cylinders.

Turn the flywheel to bring the crank pin to the position EB of 30° after the BDC. EB is the exhaust bottom and the position of measuring reference.

In this condition, fit the deflection gauge and set the needle of dial gauge in zero indication. Slowly turn the flywheel in the rotational direction of the engine.

Measure and record readings of the dial gauge in order of exhaust side, top, pump side, and pump side bottom. If necessary, read the needle of dial gauge by the deflection mirror.

Measure in all cylinders and the work will be completed.

The relation between the deflection value at each measured point with reference taken at the first point and the crankshaft is as shown.

Allowable value of the deflection is as you are watching in the video.

If the deflection increases every measurement and it exceeds allowable value, check the main bearing metal and correct the deflection.

Since the deflection value measured under the hot state of the engine varies depending on the temperature existing at the measurement, it cannot be relied on as the reference.

Measure the crankshaft deflection when the engine is cold.


Exercise 4  – Cylinder Head Overhaul

Part A – Fill in the blanks

Listen and complete the missing words:

Prior to the __________, prepare the __________ tools.
This engine has a feature that enables you to easily carry out the work in __________ and __________ with the use of the exclusive __________ tools.

Drain __________ water of cylinder block and detach the __________ manifold cover.
Remove the bolts of exhaust manifold. In doing so, __________ the bolts of the cylinders on both __________ sides of the target cylinder will make the work easier in __________.

Remove the fuel __________ valve with the drawing out tool and remove the __________ arm shaft pedestal and push __________.

After removing the fittings around the cylinder head, remove the tightening __________ of the cylinder head by using the exclusive __________ tool.


Part B – Match the tool with its function

Tool/Part Function/Action
Hydraulic jack a) Used to lift and remove the cylinder head safely
Spacer b) Checks pressure during tightening/loosening
Pressure gauge c) Screwed in to fasten against spacer, applies pressure
Cylinder head lifting tool d) Placed on nuts to align and allow loosening
Relief valve (hydraulic pump) e) Releases hydraulic pressure after use

Part C – Match the action with the safety precaution

Action Precaution
Using hydraulic jack 1) Do not use with leaking/flawed hose; risk of injury from high-pressure fluid
Removing cylinder head 2) Use exclusive lifting tool, avoid damaging bolts
Handling rubber hose 3) Do not burn or bring face close during operation
Cleaning piston crown 4) Use descaling agent; cover cylinder after cleaning
Checking valve seat 5) Perform hydraulic test after replacement to ensure no leakage

Part D – Short answer (listening focus)

While listening, answer briefly:

  1. Why should you loosen adjacent cylinder bolts when removing the exhaust manifold?

  2. What must you do before attaching the hydraulic jack to the cylinder head bolts?

  3. Why should the relief valve be gradually opened after loosening?

  4. What test must be conducted after replacing an exhaust valve seat?

  5. How do you confirm that a piston is at TDC of compression stroke?

 

 

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