1.9 Lubricants and Lubrications

Engine room ratings must have basic knowledge of fuel oil, lubrication oil and grease.

Diesel engines (Main and Auxiliary) which use low grade fuel oil and ignite it directly in the cylinder by the heat of air compression.

Various names are used by supplier for residual fuel, including the terms

Heavy fuel oil (HFO)

These fuels are of the highest viscosity and are therefore often the cheapest fuel available at a port.

Diesel fuel may contain a small amount of residual fuel and be dark or black in color. It was known by various names

Light diesel oil (LDO)

Marine distillate

Blended diesel oil does contain some residue and is frequently called Marine Diesel Oil (MDO)

All those fuel oil are stored in the double bottom storage tank, settling tank/tanks, service tank. The heavy fuel tanks need to give heating by steam for transferring, settling and centrifuge separation. The duty watch man must have enough knowledge to know the set temperature for heating and if deviate from set temperature, you must immediately inform to the duty engineer.

Material Safety Data sheet (MSDS) should be passed to the Master or Chief engineer by the bunker supplier. The ship crew should familiarize themselves.

Shipboard personal are usually well aware of risk involve in marine fuel oil and the injuries that may result. Bunker fuel related injuries a range of skin disorders such as dermatitis.

Marine fuel can produce dangerous vapours which may be both flammable and poisonous. Some fuel may contain hydrogen sulphite which is very dangerous and poisonous. 

All personal should wear adequate personal equipment including boiler suit, goggle, mask, non-slip safety shoes.  

The various types of engine and other equipment will have oil to meet their particular duty.

• •  Main Engine system oil

  •  Main Engine cylinder oil

  •  Auxiliary Engine  system oil

  • Turbocharger lubricating oil

  • Air Compressor oil

  • Refrigeration Compressor oil

  • Provision Compressor oil

  • Hydraulic oil

  • Enclose gear oil

Watch man should check the level of the lubrication oil for each machinery and must be in correct level. Proper and correct reading is essential for each crew member and if deviate from normal level, you must inform to duty engineer immediately and necessary to fill to the correct level under the supervision of engineer officer.

Various kind of grease has been stored on board. These are lubricants which have some of the wet lubricant characteristic, such as reducing friction and wear but they have no flowing ability.

On board ship one of the duties for engine crew is to lubricate ball bearing, roller bearing and moving parts according to the instruction. Proper and correct greasing is important. Different type of grease on board and some grease are used in extreme pressure and temperature condition. Some kinds of dry lubricant are Graphite, Molybdenum- disulphide and silicon.

On board ship there is a lubrication list for greasing which grease is recommended for different machinery and equipment.

For example- MultifaK EP2, Texclad Premiun 2, Rust proof compound.

Handling and storage of lubricant and grease is very important job on board and should not mix with other storing of lubricant and grease. Storing out of designated spaces can lead to a major non-conformities in case of flag state or port authority inspection on board. 

Before handling of lubricants the person must get familiar with material safety data sheet (MSDS) which is written all safety precaution. The lubrication is hazard to the skin, eyes and respiratory system.

Safety and protection equipment must be used when handling lubrication oil.