Engineering Watch RFPEW Examination

Coast Guard Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW) Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a marine boiler’s safety valve?
• Increase steam pressure
• Maintain water level
• Prevent overpressure
• Reduce fuel consumption

Rationale: The safety valve is designed to release excess pressure to

prevent boiler explosions.

• What is the correct order of operation for starting a diesel engine?
• Inject fuel → Crank engine → Start air supply
• Crank engine → Inject fuel → Start air supply → Start engine
• Open fuel valve → Crank engine → Inject fuel 1 / 4

• Start air supply → Inject fuel → Crank engine

Rationale: Diesel engines require fuel injection at the correct point

during cranking with air supply to initiate combustion.

• Which of the following is a symptom of a leaking gland packing in a

pump?

• Reduced suction
• Increased vibration
• Leakage of fluid around the shaft
• Cavitation

Rationale: Gland packing is designed to prevent leakage; worn

packing results in leakage around the pump shaft.

4. In an engine room, the function of a centrifugal pump is to:

• Compress air
• Move liquids using centrifugal force
• Reduce engine vibration
• Heat water

Rationale: Centrifugal pumps increase fluid velocity and pressure to

move liquids efficiently.

• Which type of heat exchanger is commonly used for engine cooling?
• Shell and tube
• Plate
• Shell and tube
• Double pipe 2 / 4

Rationale: Shell-and-tube heat exchangers are robust and suitable

for high-capacity engine cooling systems.

• What is the main function of a bilge pump?
• Drain fuel oil
• Transfer ballast
• Remove water from the bilge
• Pump lubricating oil

Rationale: Bilge pumps are installed to remove water accumulation

in the bilge to prevent flooding.

• What is the typical function of a reduction gear in a ship’s propulsion

system?

• Increase engine RPM
• Convert AC to DC
• Reduce engine speed to propeller speed
• Reverse rotation direction

Rationale: Reduction gears match the high RPM of engines to the

lower RPM required by propellers.

• Which type of boiler is most commonly used on small to medium

ships?

• Water tube
• Fire tube
• Electric
• Nuclear 3 / 4

Rationale: Fire-tube boilers are compact, simpler, and widely used for

smaller ships.

• Which of the following is a correct characteristic of a centrifugal

governor on a diesel engine?

• Measures engine temperature
• Controls oil pressure
• Regulates engine speed automatically
• Measures fuel quality

Rationale: Centrifugal governors adjust fuel supply to maintain

engine speed under varying loads.

• What is the purpose of a muffler in a diesel engine exhaust

system?

• Increase pressure
• Cool exhaust gases
• Reduce noise
• Improve fuel efficiency

Rationale: Mufflers absorb sound energy to reduce engine noise.

• Which of the following liquids is typically used as a lubricating oil

in main engines?

• Sea water
• Diesel fuel
• Mineral-based oil
• Hydraulic fluid
• / 4