electrical, and other engineering department functions.The engineer officer will make sure his assistantsperform their assigned duties, or he will perform thoseduties himself when no assistant is available for a givenbillet. The duties and responsibilities of the engineerassistants are explained in the following paragraphs.THE MAIN PROPULSION ASSISTANT(MPA).– The MPA is responsible to the engineer officerfor the operation, care, and maintenance of the ship’spropulsion machinery, its related auxiliaries, and suchother auxiliaries as may be assigned. In ships wherethere are not enough officers for all billets, the MPAmay also serve as the main engines (M) and boilers (B)division officer.The MPA is specifically responsible for thereliability and effective operation of the ship’s mainengines, boilers, and assigned auxiliaries. He mustmake, or assign reliable subordinates to make, frequentinspections of all the machinery and equipment forwhich he is responsible. In addition, the MPA mustmake sure necessary inspections, tests, repairs, andadjustments are completed subject to requiredauthorization and according to NAVSEASYSCOM andmanufacturer’s technical manuals. He must personallysupervise the operation of the main propulsion plantwhen the ship is getting underway, coming to anchor,and at other times when unusual care is necessary.Except in cases of emergency, he must get the CO'spermission before fires are lighted or secured under aboiler. He must make sure that main engines are notturned except with permission of the officer of the deck(OOD).The following paragraphs describe more specificduties of the MPA:. The care, storage, and expenditure of fuels andthe maintenance and security of fueling systems (exceptfor aircraft and missiles) and the maintenance of fuelrecords, including a daily fuel report to the CO.. Proper preparation, care, submission, anddisposition of the Engineering Log and Engineer’s BellBook. He is required to inspect them at least daily andensure their proper maintenance and timely submission.. The preparation, care, and disposition of suchoperation, maintenance, and other engineering recordsas may be prescribed by NAVSEASYSCOM or otherauthority.The MPA must know the operational characteristicsof the equipment and machinery under his control so hecan observe and interpret their results. He must inspectspaces, machinery, and equipment and obtain usefulinformation from the logs, records, and reports.There is no substitute for experience, but an MPAmay be assigned before he has time to gain thatexperience. Therefore, he must use every opportunity toimprove his knowledge of machinery and equipmentthrough self-study and fleet-operated schools.The MPA can gain considerable self-confidenceand knowledge by qualifying himself and each of thewatch officers in the procedures for warming up andsecuring each major item of machinery in the mainengineering plant. A previously qualified officer or theengineering chief petty officer may conduct thistraining.The MPA can find information on equipment andmachinery in his own ship in publications such asblueprints and manufacturer’s technical manuals. Theseare readily available in the logroom. Two of the mostimportant reference books in the engineeringdepartment are the Naval Ships’ Technical Manual(NSTM) and the Ship Information Book. He can learn agreat deal about the location, condition, size, anddescription of the machinery and equipment in theengineering department by observing it duringoperation, when idle, and during maintenanceprocedures. He should read the manufacturers’nameplates for data on safe operating limits, capacities,and other useful information.To the more knowledgeable officer, comparison ofpast and present performance records, reports, and logswill show the condition of the engineering plant andwill often disclose areas in need of repairs. Evaluationof information gained from these sources depends uponthe completeness of the records, reports, and logs, andthe professional integrity of those who prepare them.The MPA should never overlook the knowledge ofmore experienced officers, chief petty officers,supervisors, and equipment operators. He shouldalways have the supervisor of the space accompany himon his inspection tour. The supervisor can then answerquestions and receive orders concerning the space andmachinery.THE DAMAGE CONTROL ASSISTANT(DCA).– The DCA is responsible for the effectivedamage control organization; for repairs to the ship’shull, machinery, and piping systems except asspecifically assigned to another division or department;and for the maintenance and submission of logs,records, and reports required in connection with hisassigned functions.1-9
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