Sunday, June 17, 2012
Today an engineering professor took me on a guided tour
of the engine rooms. Imagine what it takes to support a building 10 stories
high! Mind you, this is without any external supply of electricity, water, or
fuel. So besides controlling the propellers and the rudder, the ship’s machinery condition fuel and distill water for the steam engine, generate
electricity, produce potable water, treat waste water, and provide
refrigeration for food storage and air conditioning. The magnitude of these
machines is unreal. Some machines, even some of the pipes, are larger than me,
and some systems span several stories. Engineering cadets are constantly
monitoring these systems to make sure they are functioning in a state that can
continue to function for the long term. (There is no road side assistance in
the ocean in case of a breakdown!) They also take commands from the bridge and
make adjustments to the engine to match the speed and direction of travel. Is
it hot in the engine room? You bet! I was lucky. It was a cool, chilly day of
90 degrees.
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