USCG Exam PracticeWatch duties, terminology, and instrumentation
A boiler watchstander loses sight of the water level in the gauge glass and cannot immediately restore it. According to proper watchstanding procedure, what is the correct immediate action?
- A. Open the feedwater regulator bypass valve fully to restore level as quickly as possible
- ✓ Secure the fires immediately rather than risk running the boiler dryCorrect
- C. Activate the low-water alarm manually and await the watch engineer's instructions before taking further action
- D. Blow down the gauge glass repeatedly until the level reappears, then resume normal steaming
Why B is correct
NAVEDTRA 14104 §4-2 explicitly states that if water level is ever lost from sight, the safe action is to secure the fires immediately rather than risk running the boiler dry. Operating with an unknown water level risks a low-water casualty that can destroy the boiler and injure the crew.
Cited:NAVEDTRA 14104 §4-2