Course Overview
The Blended Propulsion Plant Simulator 2 (PPS2) course is designed to provide five days of supervised training on the “cloud" at the student's choice of location, and the remaining ten days will be face-to-face in the Engine simulator room on campus. This course will provide the following competencies to managers of ship machinery systems: Knowledge of corrective actions to be taken in problem solving and recognition of signs and symptoms of deteriorating function of ship's machinery. Knowledge of the safe and efficient operation of ship's machinery, including a review of safe watch keeping practices as covered in PPS1. All scenarios used in training would be as realistic as possible. Ship management practices that enable: (1) Efficient monitoring and optimizing of plant performance, (2) Rapid identification and correction of machinery malfunctions, (3) Good communication and response in emergency situations, and (4) Optimizing the plant when there is variance in the external operating conditions of the vessel. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will receive a Transport Canada training certificate, which is a prerequisite for obtaining the following certificates of competency or endorsement: (1) First-Class Engineer, Steamship or Motor Ship, (2) Second-Class Engineer, Steamship or Motor Ship, (3)
Prerequisite(s)
- Entry to this course is open to individuals who have the following - A student must have obtained a certificate of competency at a minimum level of a 4th Class Engineer STCW endorsed. While holding at the minimum a certificate of competency at the 4th Class Engineer level, a student must have completed a minimum of 6 months of sea service, as engineer in charge of an engineering watch or in charge of the machinery, on board a vessel of at least 750 KW. Students enrolled in the course are required to produce an approval letter or email from Transport Canada confirming course entry prerequisites on Day 1 of the course, and show the approval letter to the course instructor. Students who DO NOT have an approval letter or email will not be allowed to continue in the course and must withdraw.
Credits
7.5
Domestic fees
$1,314.03
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate management and organization of a power plant as implemented on board a vessel — the scenario may include various vessel operations such as: the vessel alongside under cargo operation, the vessel is arriving in Port and berthing, leaving the dock, or at sea.
- Demonstrate good marine engineering practices by careful monitoring and operation of the vessel's machinery. Detect and identify cause of machinery malfunctions, and take necessary preventive action to avoid machinery breakdown.
- Demonstrate safe and clear communication with Bridge in the event of engine malfunction requiring reduction in speed, or change in available electric power.
- Manage the start-up of all main and auxiliary machinery, and manage plant during cargo discharge operations.
- Operate main propulsion unit in “Bridge", “Local", and “Emergency" control positions and respond to “Emergency Run", “Shut Down", and “Slow Down" of main engine.
- Develop plans to deal with emergency and pollution control procedures, and ensure appropriate entries are made in the Oil Record Book.
- Obtain cylinder pV diagrams for a specified power setting, then calculate engine power, mechanical efficiency, and specific fuel consumption.
- Use temperature and flow data from heat exchangers to calculate a heat balance.
- Record the effect of different fuels, and hull fouling on engine performance and fuel economy.
- State the effect of fouling in air coolers, scavenge ports, and turbochargers on engine performance.
- Measure the effects of the weather, propeller size, and water depth on plant efficiency.
- Apply conditions of operation on main engine and auxiliaries when the vessel is navigating in ice.
- Use leadership and managerial skills to ensure safe and effective maintenance and repair procedures.
- Write a report outlining two (2) different problems encountered in practice, and describe how the situations were managed and repairs carried out; submit recommendations including costs, personnel change, etc., to the ship owners.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2024
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below is one offering of MERS 2005 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 69883
Dates
Aug 31 - Sep 24 Loading
- CRN 69883
- $1314.03 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
3 weeks
Instructor
Sanjeev Sarwal
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS A BLENDED FORMAT: The initial 5 days will be online, and the remaining 10 days will be in person at the PPS simulator at the BCIT Marine Campus in North Vancouver. Transport Canada EXAMS WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 22, 23 & 24. Exam will be held on campus in room 142A. Students enrolled in the course are required to produce an approval letter or email from Transport Canada confirming course entry prerequisites on Day 1 of the course, and show the approval letter or email to the course instructor. Students who DO NOT have an approval letter or email will not be allowed to continue in the course and must withdraw. Prerequisites are listed in the prerequisite section of the course webpage. Student manual will be provided in class. The Transport Canada assessment will be conducted on campus after the 10 days of in-person instruction. All candidates requesting PPS Exams should complete and pay for a Transport Canada EXN 3 (Application to be Examined) at least 2 weeks prior to the examination date. Contact Transport Canada 400 - 800 Burrard Street, Vancouver, 604-666-0834.
Confirmation
Required
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Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.