Preventive maintenance of the bridge manoeuvring system

The bridge manoeuvring system does not require maintenance due to its design, yet it would be an advantage if the below mentioned items were checked occasionally.

Safety Panel. Activate the "Test shut-down" and "Test slow-down" one at a time, and check that the appropriate white lamps immediately light up strongly. The test buttons should be activated (pushed) for at least 20 s in order to initiate the appropriate functions.

Daily Use of the Bridge Manoeuvring System

Preparation and change over. Preparation and change over of the engine for the bridge control should be made in accordance with the instructions issued by the engine builder. The following points should be noted: The pump station for the hydraulic amplifier is started to provide oil pressure in the amplifier.

The automatic stop piston valve must be turned to the "Service" position.

Control Panel.

Check that the test telegraph switches on the mimic diagram are in the "Normal" position.

Check also that the switch in the engine speed test unit is in the "Tacho" position. If this switch is left in the "Test" position, the unit lamp will light up. If a start attempt is made, registration of the engine's turning will not take place and the tacho and repeated start supervision unit (TRS) will register the missing tacho signal, and after 6 sastart blocking and a tacho failure alarm will be initiated. If the control system is not furnished with a TRS Unit, starting air will be admitted until the pressure switch is activated.

Starting Control from Engine Control Room. Navigation

By shifting the telegraph lever from FULL AHEAD to NAVIGATION, a gradual acceleration program is activated; the program is adjustable and enables the engine to reach navigation RPM's in the desired lapse of time. 

If any fault occurs during gradual load take-over the engine load increase is interrupted; the engine stabilizes at the value reached at the moment in which the fault occurred and remains in that condition until the fault disappears.