How To Start The Ship's Main Engine : From Preparation to Full Away

This video shows the procedure for starting up the Ship's Main Engine. As requested by many viewers, I made sure you will be able to hear the actual sounds made by the engine at different speeds.
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Special thanks to : NIGHTSTICK for sending me a few samples of their intrinsically safe flashlights. We have been using them for a few months now and they sure make our job a lot easier.
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NIGHTSTICK : Life Depends on Light
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Chief MAKOi
Seaman Vlog S03E16
Ship's Main Engine : From Start-up to Full Away

[@GooberFace32]

Came here from What’s Going on With Shipping. Thanks for the fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how a ship’s engine works.

[@thirtynine392001]

Me too!

[@SlaveToMyStomach]

Me Three! Thanks to Sal of WGOWS.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

Same 🎉

[@reenabearkitty]

Same here

[@4rdF1Hunny]

Same here!

[@macnachten8822]

I came over to your channel and subscribed because Sal Mercagnio suggested you as a great channel.

[@dandaniel439]

Me too

[@CoffeeAndPaul]

Me three!

[@susansmart8086]

And me.

[@juliussamsonwandira3298]

Same here

[@lhallora1]

And me 😅

[@Stupac0110]

Any other landlubbers like me just love watching this stuff?

[@TRPGpilot]

I do lol.

[@sixstringedthing]

I'm here for it. Kinda makes me wish I chose a nautical life.

[@InYourDreams-Andia]

Fascinating! One of the few things I know nothing about (apart from the huge engines, a little)

[@briantairea5599]

Haha yeah I enjoyed watching it as well

[@waleedismael9339]

@@TRPGpilot v

[@cjtannerza]

Ive been a ships engineer for 33 years. What is missing from this video unfortunately for the viewers who have never been on a ship, is the smell and vibration. I love it, each ship has its own smell and personality. Some good and others not so good depending on the level of care over the years.

[@dadedubbledee]

Fascinating Insight as to what it takes to fire up one of these gargantuan engines, not just turn the key and or press start. I imagine it's very lengthy process from a dead ship status. That one would be interesting too.

[@setter501]

Yes Chief just covers (and that's fine Chief)from M/E already warmed through etc, we used to get quite long times in Port back in the day and would shut things down especially if we had a fair bit of M/E work which basically was usually the case of course, as I recall (going back to the 70's) We did need a day or more once everything was boxed up to warm everything through properly, of course you needed permission from port authority to completely immobilise Main Engine(s) for maintenance, yes your right even going from "Cold" Main Engine(But Generator(s) running takes a while, got to circulate JCW (cooling water) through heaters and slowly bring up to temp, also piston CW (or Oil in some cases) Would have been great to have been able to show everyone how it was done on the old un automated motor ships built in 40s, 50s, 60s etc still very basically the same but no automation and often DC mai electrical power! I was " "brought up" on both

[@setter501]

Absolutely Absolutely Yep!

[@Airman..]

How it's possible to reverse/fwd start the engine?

[@cjtannerza]

@@Airman.. good question. Many ships have variable pitch propellers so starting and stopping is not necessary. Many ships stjll use fixed pitch. The engine is stopped and the direction of the starting air distributor is reversed

[@Shumi-kr3tc]

The quality of your videos is unbelievable, the narration, filming and editing is better than most documentaries.

[@martinrandall5436]

100

[@chandermohan453]

Very well said sir

[@napoleondgreat285]

Bulls eye.

[@amodarvind3665]

Can't agree more

[@narayananarayana8925]

@@martinrandall5436 0⁰

[@ctwentysevenj6531]

These type of videos are more entertaining and interesting than most Hollywood movies. Plus you learn something.

[@Fullnoise]

I was watching the channel "what's going on with shipping" and he suggested your channel. Great clip and thank you for going into so much detail.

[@amodarvind3665]

Having left my job as a Chief engineer more than 15 years ago, this video has brought back many memories. Well done Chief Makoi. The ER is so clean and well presented. I look forward to your video series.

[@justabeardedguythatisahero9848]

Why did you stop ?

[@klutchdust4346]

Before 9/11 I was able to visit multiple engine rooms as ships were loading and unloading containers in the harbor. I did watch a piston being changed and other major repairs and it was amazing. One item I witnessed in all the vessels was the cleanliness of the engine rooms. The crews were always willing to explain what was happening and it was thoroughly enjoyed by myself and other mechanics on board. Sadly those days are gone.

[@GooberFace32]

I remember getting to do this when Navy ships came into port in the town where I grew up. My dad and I were always wowed by the size of the engines.

[@JohnButlerKF5MDW]

My late grandfather would have been fascinated by this. He was a mechanical engineer by training and had served as an engineering officer in the US Navy during WWI. It was all steam then, but he would have loved touring your engine spaces. Thanks, Chief!

[@kylesenior]

There were diesel ships then, but they were exclusively on the smaller side.

[@sharidavenport5283]

Quick question, just so I have this timeline straight - you said WWI. Did you mean that or WWII?

[@johni6138]

chief, I have absolutely no connection to shipping or sailing whatsoever but I find your videos fascinating and you are a marvelous narrator. thank you for always brightening up my day with your excellent videos!!! 👍🏼

[@vincentalvaricoecdt.2553]

As a third year marine engineering student, I just had the idea of what my instructors and simulators have taught us. Thanks chief!

[@hydroponicus5767]

What an immaculate engine room! You can be really proud of yourself!

[@james94582]

And his hard working team!!

[@williamstone7544]

I'd be more proud myself just hearing that engine running.

[@chuckwhitson654]

As a lifetime car mechanic, med duty diesel, small engine and 2 and 4 stroke recreational marine, I have always been fascinated by these gigantic engines. Thanks for the tour

[@user-fr5rt3ls9n]

a lot of smiles on my face, when I see the new movie

[@s4kl4pnu]

Love the content chief. It’s nice to have a bit of refresher before returning to ship again. After being on stand by for almost a year, with God’s grace now will sail again. 🤙🏻

[@samuelpagasian2812]

Excellent...

[@mem3656]

cant miss the chiefs rare videos. always interesting and informing.

[@ricardosaenz9327]

Chief MAKoi, I really enjoy watching your videos. I am retired now after working in the Oilfield for 37 years as a Chief & Senior Rotating Equipment Mechanic. I worked on Offshore Platform and Drilling Barges on a 28/28 shifts in South America and other countries. I know what it is to leave your family and loved ones behind, but I never imagined that in Maritimer would have to sacrifice so much to get to be a Chief Engineer. Look forward in watching any new videos in the future. Keep up the good work!

[@robertborchert932]

Always a pleasure to watch your work, Chief! Fair winds and trailing seas!

[@patrickobogo7779]

The sound of the main engine on dead slow is music to the ears. Beautiful.

[@lory2622]

Thanks Chief! What a great bit of work. You’re becoming quite an editor.

[@stanleydenning]

The power of these engines at so slow RPM's, mind-boggling to me. Amazing.

[@barrygoffe]

Hard to express how much I love your videos like this! Thank you so much for providing so much detail!

[@telquad1953]

Clean engine room and efficient crew. A pleasure to watch. Thanks much.

[@zahnmanretired8572]

As a land lubber from the state of Kentucky, USA, I find these videos to be very interesting! My attention was first drawn to this by the recent blockage of the Suez Canal by the Ever Given. I enjoyed the passage video that discussed the history of this amazing bit of engineering. From there I’ve learned how to refuel (Bunkering) and starting the engines. Very Cool! Keep them coming!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Your voice is fantastic for documentary narrations, Chief MAKOi

[@michaelscott2789]

Nice to see you back. What an insightful film on engine startup. Very interesting to see. One thing for sure, that isn't a simple startup sequence. A lot of very important steps to obviously preserve engine life. Happy sailings 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇳🇱

[@GraemeSPa]

Well done for bringing this to public knowledge. When I was at sea, there were no smartphones or video recorders or internet. My early ships were built on the Clyde in the 1950s - rivetted hull general cargo ships, beautiful curves - not a straight line on them - Sulzer SD engines with scavenge pumps, - fuel injector change every 2000 hours, DC electrics , no Evaporators no automatic controls but a four man engine watch - with a bell that would be rung on the hour and the quarter to the watch end. - Basic ships that would run like sewing machines. Then I was on bulkers - B&W 8K98 FF engine with the top rockers, AC gennies (chase the lights to synchronize) , then steam tankers to Chief Engineer and then on very nice MANB&W S80MC engines with very nice automatics that actually worked- then I went into the office to be a nagging superintendant and eventually one of the fleet managers. I still remember cleaning bilge strums, oil filters , sewage tanks, water washing Rothemule Air Preheaters, fixing sootblower lance drives , UV leak testing condensers, calibrating Bailey pneumatic controllers, grinding superheater handhole doors, cutting valve packing with a knife made from a hacksaw blade, the time when the hot fuel filter top gasket blew filling the engine room with white oil mist, the time when the 12/4 junior took the wrong valve out and opened the emergency fire pump room to sea via a 12" valve , a main condenser blocked with fish - the time when my oiler told me " shaft bearing very hot!" at 2am on the 12/4 watch when we were in between two hurricanes in the Bahama Channel. I went to sea because my Dad did. I hated it, but then I realized I was good at it and it paid well. Then I got higher up the ladder and went from "a valuable employee" to " a drain on our resources" and was replaced by someone of a cheaper nationality who was more compliant. I hated going to sea, but I enjoyed training the kids who came on as cadets - I loved that "lightbulb moment" . One of my cadets got to Second about the time I was chucked on the scrap heap. Enjoy it while you can!!

[@rodpettet2819]

So much knowledge and then tossed on the scrapheap by some shiney assed bean counter who couldn't change a tap washer! I feel for you. I always jumped before pushed and retired on my own terms.

[@victoriapenny5607]

@@rodpettet2819 The British Merchant Navy was made redundant by Margaret Thatcher! Who decided to hire out Foreign Flag ships(with foreign crews) as her continued Privatization, but just as important to her a disbanding of the Seaman's Union (along with other unions) which had held Harold Wilson's (Labour) govt. to ransom in the 60's. So not so much a shiny ass bean counter but the wicked witch.

[@standbytogo123]

Loved the first two lines of the last Paragraph, very succinctly put.

[@Nightstick]

Glad to see our products make your job easier and safer! Keep up the great content, we've been fans for a long time.

[@ttun100]

Watching a video of the Evergreen running aground in the Suez Canal brought up Chief Makoi videos in the suggestions. These video are very informative and very well done.

[@helentaylor6670]

Excellent explanations which anyone can readily follow + understand. Chief Makoi shd be in tv educational +/or documentary programmes. He is great. My father was a Marine Engineer + CM's videos have brought some happy memories!!😎

[@victorcarter5754]

Short and incredibly informative video deserving of 5*. Superb production in which we can actually see and hear exactly what the producer set out to show us. Thank you

[@vonrammstein8984]

knowledge, dedication and craftsmanship make ships work !

[@davidgreen40]

Chief, Welcome back! Another great video on ship operations. Does the Maritime Academy use your videos? If not, they should. Your content and production value are as professional as your leadership of the vessel’s Engineering Department. DG.

[@harrymitchell5402]

Wow. That's a trip. What a turbo. Your a class of your own. People don't realize what it takes to move all the weight WTG chief and crew. Thanks for what you do

[@jaypipken7444]

I enjoy your narration of the ship. Its full of info . And the camera working of how the engine works. Thank s

[@ibrahimmubarak9035]

I’m an engineering student at a maritime academy and sometimes I think about quitting..but this channel is one of the things that motivates me and get me back on track..I appreciate u chief 🖤

[@ibrahimmubarak9035]

@Kok Hoa Kik it’s actually really stressful,,don’t regret it my friend..everything happens for a reason..god has a greater plan for u insha allah 🖤🖤

[@ibrahimmubarak9035]

@Kok Hoa Kik you got it brother

[@mfallatha9991]

@@ibrahimmubarak9035 are u Saudi ?

[@ibrahimmubarak9035]

@@mfallatha9991 no sir

[@chrispeoples4606]

Thanks again for the great video! I'll show it to my high school physics classes next week when I cover heat engines and the Diesel cycle for my thermodynamics unit.

[@petermiller9712]

as a diesel mechanic I find ship engines just amazing thanks again for your thorough explanation of the start up process

[@johnnisshansen]

Your style of telling and choise of subjects are high class

[@AeeroXOG]

We love your videos ! Please do more. Much respect coming from a fellow seafarer.

[@Salty80556]

Retired truck driver. But I will always admire a man who respects his job by showing a passion of doing it well. Many thanks and congratulations to you; Chief.

[@rainscratch]

Couldn't agree more. We need to be proud of whatever achievement and knowledge we gain.

[@trep53]

Great video, awesome tutorial on how a ships engine system start. All your crews maintenance and work payed off with a flawless start, you have a good team.

[@mav604]

Thank you Chief MAKOi for taking the time to explain things. I am a 2nd year Marine Engineering Cadet based out of Vancouver BC Canada. I appreciate your videos. Thank You

[@markpatterson2507]

I wish I loved being educated this much when I was in school.....

[@philcrase7425]

WOW! You did it again...another outstanding video. All potential merchant mariners would do well to watch your videos, they are far better than classroom studies and nearly as good as hands on. Thanks!! Stay well, all the best to you and yours.

[@BSPIVEY100]

I had to subscribe. Chief, your videos are first rate. Really well done and informative. My dad was a merchant marine in WWII up to the 70's and later went back for Desert Storm. He would have been 100 years old next week. He past away 7 years ago but always had great stories to tell about be at sea. He would have loved your channel. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

[@laughingram7287]

I love how clear your videos are of the engine room spaces. Anytime someone asks me about what it was like sailing as an engineer, I just refer them to you uTube channel. You show it all! Also, I noticed how clean your engine room is! It looks like a new ship. I was kind of surprised that your engine only had one turbo. All the diesel ships I sailed on usually had one turbo per three cylinders. Thanks Chief, Ram

[@ATH_Berkshire]

Thanks, a very clear and informative description. Beforehand I would have guessed that full ahead was the maximum power setting, you lean something every day.

[@SeanLentze]

Good to have you back Chief!

[@chuckboyle8456]

Very informative video, thanks. Excellent demonstration of the technical & procedural requirements for safe start-up and underway operations. Chief Makoi...you are the man, I mean Chief! Carry on, safe passages.

[@liamp.oriordan7736]

Thank You Sir, very informative. As an apprentice marine fitter in the 1960's I was training in assembling and fitting those main engines in bulk carriers built in Verolme Cork Dockyard in the Port of Cork, Ireland. Your video brought back great memories of my apprenticeship and sailing on those ship's first sea trials. Thank you.

[@razvananghel7492]

Fascinating! Such a great channel! All the best from Romania 🇷🇴

[@kerravon4159]

Fascinating video Chief, I had no idea how many complicated systems were required to work in harmony just to get the engine running... :)

[@JackKirbyFan]

I had no idea it was this complex but it makes sense. All the inertia of a large engine requires a lot of auxillary help to get it going. Fantastic video. Learned a lot.

[@petromic1947]

This brings my memory back to about 40 years. I was a electrical engineer worked for 7 years and made my money to invest in my education in the USA. I enjoyed very much of my life during this period. Thanks for the video I enjoyed.

[@solomonndege2691]

I love the video. These are same actions we execute in diesel fired engines in our plant. The ship engine runs at slightly lower rpm, I guess it's a two stroke. Very similar environment as in diesel power plants! I'll love to work in a ship.

[@sarfrazkhankhan7497]

Respect and love from Retired bosun To Chief

[@mikechiodetti4482]

FANTASTIC! Preparation yields a long term, great running engine! Thank you for this video!

[@rainscratch]

Look after the heart and it will look after you! Applies to everything.

[@sup5356]

high level, concise, step by step narrative. The ingredients needed to earn that "i just learned something interesting " dopamine hit. Good job, thank you

[@nativesailor2561]

Chief that engine room noise that almost put me to sleep. That would be a good ambient sound for us sailors that miss that sound. I use to be in the US Navy and hearing the engine sounds was goos to put me right to sleep.

[@markmark2080]

I remember, as an Electrician's Mate, standing the mid-watch at the switchboard, it was a BATTLE trying to stay awake down there during routine cruising perched just above the high and low pressure main turbines...

[@roaddawg3217]

Believe it or not it's the same for truckers! Best sleep I ever had was in my bunk with the Cummins on high idle😊😊

[@respectbossmon]

Great to see you back, Chief! So, basically the main engine starts and stops upon demand. There's no transmission in between to shift between forward and astern. I wondered how that worked with pure direct drives. No doubt that's common with freighters of all sizes. There's less that can break. It's cheaper to build. Ultimately, that's better for a company's bottom line.

[@barbroevanderlindquist4128]

Hej! Chief MAKOi you seems to be an exelent teacher/ instructor! And your videos must be loved for the engein crue! Barbro Sweden

[@rodwinmeyers3171]

Thanks for the insight Chief. Go well and keep safe.

[@jamesonmarquardt7741]

Glad to see you back on water. Fair winds

[@36814]

Absolutely fascinating and very well made.

[@kenbryant2570]

Great video. Chief. I learned a lot by watching about how that big engine works. Good job explaining how the systems work and what they do.

[@bradley-eblesisor]

Thanks Chief! I find both the content and your style very enjoyable and calming!

[@manuelaffonso2191]

Thanks for the memories. Sailed 42 years ( engine )

[@gadogado033]

I learned a lot from your videos chief, thank you

[@daveg872]

Very interesting for those of us who are not sailors/engineers but have wondered about this. Thank you.

[@doug9641]

Glad to see a new video Chief, as always, thanks for the great content!

[@jenniferwiley6572]

Pure music to my ears!

[@garylynch6760]

As a young marine engineer myself from the UK, id love the pleasure to work alongside you in the engine room one day.

[@derekstuart5234]

Thanks, Chief. That's answered a good number of questions I've always wanted to ask. I've had several tours around engineering decks of Ro-Ro ferries- going back far enough to remember steam powered vessels- but never really had the chance to ask the technical questions.

[@Nyck461]

Starting this engine takes a lot of time and knowledge. Great video.

[@fastbike175]

This is great. We love the engineering oriented videos.

[@edinaldopereira2285]

I served in many Brazilian warships and, in general, the starting up procedures are the same. Pre- lub, fuel and starting air are very important so we can make it possible to full speed ahead...

[@jaminova_1969]

Thank You Chief MAKOi . I am a shipbuilder and have worked in repair and new construction. I once was given the task of building a ships starting air and handed a box of parts. I guess I got it right, but always wondered how it turned the engine over. Now I know!

[@ibbylancaster8981]

Had to come over and revisit this one after all that has happened in the last couple of weeks in Baltimore. Much love to you Chief. This is absolutely incredible the BEST channel for ocean going ships technical and mechanical aspects. TimBAtSea calls Sal “Dr. Sal” , you should be Dr Chief Makoi on the technical side. Thank you for all you do for the Maritime industry Chief. The world depends on guys like yourself

[@donjohnson8649]

I never realized how complex the procedure is for getting a ship's engine operating!

[@HighlanderNorth1]

😳😲I'm just shocked to learn that cargo ships DON'T have gy-normous, 50,000 horsepower Mercury, Evinrude or Yamaha outboard engines bolted to the back of the ship! I'm also surprised that crew members aren't taking advantage of the ship's Pacific ocean crossing to do some water skiing! I know they can't turn the ship around to pick up water skiers every time someone makes a mistake and falls down. But they COULD bring along jet skis to help pick them up! 😁👍

[@PawanKumar-im1ru]

Chief..I was eagerly waiting for this 👍👍👍👍

[@a-a-ronbrowser1486]

I really enjoyed my short time working on ships and the water. But a mooring line helped me decide on a different career path. Stay safe out there, conditions change quick.

[@josephlivinglife5547]

Thank you captain I love to see the design in power of engines of that size it’s amazing how it works so thank you for your time and sharing these amazing videos and super cool explanations of the Suez Canal blockage your patience and strength is displayed and politeness against those who don’t trust your explanations thank you again captain

[@wimnoordhoek5462]

Great video. Keep safe.

[@DangarMarine]

Loved it! Thank you for sharing. :)

[@Bruncobrobranch]

Thank you, and all marine crew, for your service.

[@brucewrandol]

Thanks for giving me a better understanding of the operation of the vessels engine.

[@CarloMarkVLFiLMPH]

Very Inspiring sir for the young marine Engineers out there and For students like me . Please keep on doing it so alot of filipino Maritime will acknowledge your job. Keep safe sir and God bless. I'm Carlo Mark Villarva From Philippines-Mindanao-Kidapawan City. Pa shout out Po idol☺️😊😁👍

[@alfrancisdevera2916]

Nice info again sir

[@byronpink9061]

Thanks for sharing! I often wanted to know the procedures in starting the main engine(s) on a large ship. I am familiar with large boats and yatchs. This was educational, and I enjoyed watching this. Thank you! BP

[@AdaptiveRider]

The engineering that went into the propulsion system and engine, literally blows my mind

[@philipfish50]

Hi I didn’t know there was so much to starting a ship’s engine I thought you just turned a key and that was it interesting video thanks

[@mitchellm.keithley3071]

Thanks Chief, always very informative and professional!

[@jdmxxx38]

Thank you for an insightful and educational video about something I would not ordinarily get to experience. Appreciate your many videos.

[@hatac]

Wow you managed to get the engine room noise down to a sound level where you can hear yourself think.

[@sailorxyz5000]

This Stuff is next level chief. Could you please make a tutorial on how you shoot videos and edit it?

[@antonyfurtado4665]

Your videos aren't bad either, subscribed you mate😊👍

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

I am a subscriber of yours, too! I enjoy all of the Merchant Marines videos, no matter what language they are filmed in.

[@Oddman1980]

I have a friend who used to work in an engine room in some kind of ship, and he said he worked with an engine that had to have the camshaft removed and installed backwards to change direction. I love big engines like this, thanks for the video!

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

I worked on a ship and I always loved when the ME's would start up the engines; it was if the ship herself was waking up and saying, "Hi there - let's goooooo"! I loved the vibration you can feel once she opens up - like the ship is jogging along on the water. (I know I romanticize it, but when the work got exhausting I'd always remember those little things to remind me of what a smart, beautiful, and dedicated lady the ship was.)

[@eggies.4943]

It's been a while Chief!