Engineering operating records are used to ensure regular inspection of operating machinery and to provide data for performance analysis. Operating records do not replace frequent inspections of operating machinery by supervisory personnel nor do they necessarily warn of impending casualties. Personnel who maintain operating records must be properly trained to correctly obtain, interpret, and record data, and to report any abnormal conditions. The type commanders directives specify which engineering operating records must be maintained and prescribe the forms to be used when no standard record forms are available. The engineer officer may require additional operating records when he or she deems them necessary.

The operating records discussed in this chapter are generally retained on board for a period of 2 years, after which they may be destroyed according to current disposal regulations. Completed records must be stowed so they will be properly preserved and can be easily located.

Diesel Engine Operating Record

The Diesel Engine Operating Record-All Ships, NAVSEA 9231/2 (figs. 1-1 and 1-2), is a daily record maintained for each operating diesel engine. In ships with more than one main engine in the same engine room, a separate record sheet is maintained for each operating engine.

The watch supervisor enters the remarks and signs the record for his or her watch. The petty officer in charge of the engine room or the senior engineman checks the accuracy of the record and signs the record in the space provided on the back of the record. Any unusual conditions noted in the record are immediately reported to the engineer officer, and the record is sent to the engineer officer for approval.

Fuel and Water Accounts

The maintenance of daily diesel fuel, lubricating oil, and water accounts is vital to the efficient operation of the engineering department. Forms and procedures necessary to account for fresh water and fuel are generally prescribed by the type commanders. The accounts tell the engineer officer the status of the ships liquid load and form the basis of engineering reports submitted to higher authority.

Ship and unit commanders must know the exact amount of burnable fuel on hand. When you compute the amount of burnable fuel on board, consider only the fuel in the service and storage tanks. All the fuel below the fuel suction line is considered not burnable.