Maritime Knowledge Base
Browse questions and answers across marine machinery, merchant navy careers, shipboard operations and maritime glossary terms.
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Marine Machinery
Troubleshooting guides for pumps, boilers, purifiers, compressors and auxiliary systems.
Merchant Navy Careers
Questions about joining the merchant navy, exams, cadetships, ranks and sea-time.
Maritime Glossary
Plain-English definitions of shipping, engine-room, navigation and regulatory terms.
Shipboard Operations
Practical Q&A for watchkeeping, safety, maintenance routines and onboard documentation.
Results for "Dry dock"
How do you become a chief engineer on a ship?
The chief engineer heads the engine department — reaching the rank requires management-level certification and years of sea time as a watchkeeping and second engineer.
Merchant Navy CareersWhat shore-based jobs can experienced seafarers move into?
Experienced seafarers are in demand ashore for a wide range of maritime roles — surveying, pilotage, ship management, training, insurance and port work — where their sea experience is essential.
Marine MachineryWhat is the stern tube and stern tube seal on a ship?
The stern tube is the tube through which the propeller shaft passes out of the hull; it carries the aft bearing and a seal that keeps seawater out and lubricant in.
Shipboard OperationsHow is a cargo tank cleaned on a tanker?
Cargo tanks are cleaned with fixed or portable washing machines using water or crude oil, followed by draining, gas-freeing and ventilation, before a change of cargo, entry or repair.
