Topic starter
26/02/2014 2:10 am
1st: Learned today the Belle has a new licensed engineer: Tom Coursen! Tom called this afternoon from Memphis after finishing his last test to make him the Belle's newest licensed engineer!
2nd: Installed the new piston for the Stbd. main engine, which you can see below. The other shots show the port piston in all its glory! These pistons were fitted with a new collar for a new set of rings, and the rods were turned and coated to give it the chrome-plated look. The stbd. piston and rings made a smooth fit--looking forward to putting steam to them by the end of March!
26/02/2014 3:27 am
This forum seriously needs a 'Like' button.
26/02/2014 5:03 pm
Congratulations to Tom upon this wonderful achievement. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!
28/02/2014 10:30 pm
Congrats to Tom! It isn't an easy test to take and pass to become a steam marine engineer, and Tom will be a good one!
Topic starter
01/03/2014 3:41 pm
It's especially difficult when you have to deal with the anxiety of getting your first license! Then you have to make sure they give you the RIGHT steam test! When I sat for my first license I wasn't sure what sort of steam test I would get, so I studied all possible subjects! Of course, I was given the wrong steam test, but I didn't know. It was only while they were grading the test and the evaluator walked by, noticed I was from the Belle, and realized I was taking the wrong test. Then I had to take another test, so I stressed to Tom to make sure they gave him the right test! In my opinion, I wish they would go back to the old essay method, but I know that will never happen.
01/03/2014 11:00 pm
Roger on the essay method of testing, Dan! Much, much easier in my opinion.
02/03/2014 1:06 am
Yeah, but with Multiple-choice, they GIVE you the answer--you just have to know which one it is (or ones, if there's an "a & b, but not c" choice!
🙂
Gee, with essay, you have to write like you actually know what you're talkin' about!
Now how fair is that????
Heh heh heh!
04/03/2014 5:51 pm
Marvelous news, Dan - thanks for the update - and my heartiest congratulations to Tom!
04/03/2014 9:39 pm
You should see the deck officer renewal tests my husband and I are having to take. There's deep sea stuff all over the place. Some of it I have no idea what they are talking about. It's supposed to be open book, but except for rules of the road, they don't have a book as such that you can open. I finally found a web site, or I would not have passed. You just have to go through thousands of questions and answers. Don't ever let your boat time lapse. Scrape paint if you have to. Just get in that minimum boat time. Oh, yeah. They are multiple choice and you have to get 90% right.
Topic starter
19/03/2014 12:32 am
Here's a YouTube link showing the start-up of the Belle's port main engine for the first time with her new pistons and rings--not the most exciting video or best sound, but it was one of the quietest start-ups for these engines I've seen! Of course, we will put several more hours on these engines before we leave the dock for our inspection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccZlCmAbYbE&list=UU14pneajmWGRb2O2vG6CTZQ
19/03/2014 12:35 am
Hey Dan, the video is marked as private.
Topic starter
20/03/2014 12:30 am
Sorry about that--changed them to "public"