CHECKS AND PRECAUTIONS FOR SLOW STEAMING
An increasing number of companies are trying the option of slow steaming to save fuel costs at available opportunities. some times due to unavailability of charter or due to instruction of charter ships are forced to sail on slow steaming. Normally when trying out main engine for low load operation we generally try to run the main engine at slowest RPM at which the exhaust boiler can cope and the auxiliary blowers are off and there is no chance that a sudden load change due to course alteration or change in weather will lower the load and allow the auxiliary blower to cut in intermittently. Following are the checks and precautions that need to be taken for preparing marine engines for slow steaming of ships:- CHECKS FOR SLOW STEAMING :- In general in traditional marine engines few checks are needed to be made if low load operation are carried out-- Frequent scavenge inspection and under piston area inspection, preferably at the end of the voyage. Check piston rings for breakage