🔍 Key Concepts

• Diesel engine loading and fuel consumption on large low-speed main propulsion engines • Effect of hull fouling (marine growth) on resistance and required power • Effect of environmental conditions (head wind and heavy seas) on ship resistance and engine load

💭 Think About

• How do conditions that increase hull resistance affect the power required from the main engine at a given ship speed? • Would a fouled hull or strong head seas make the propeller easier or harder to turn at the same RPM? • In which situations does the engine have to work closer to its maximum continuous rating (MCR) to maintain speed?

✅ Before You Answer

• For each roman numeral, ask: does this condition increase the ship’s resistance through the water? • Consider whether increased resistance means higher shaft power demand at a given RPM and speed. • Think about whether modern large low-speed diesels are more likely to be overloaded by propeller/hull resistance or by light-load conditions.