How to fix a defective Ship's Plummer Block?

I never really talk about my work. I can hardly remember if I ever written any blogs (MySpace blogs) on my work. Well, I guess this is a different approach or a glimpse of what I do at work. OK, yes I’m working in the line of ship's maintenance. I thought I’d like to share this one defect that has caused this ship to be upslipped and shafting work had to be done.

Alright, here's what happened. We have here a defective plummer block. WTF is a plummer block, you asked? Okay basically plummer block is a shaft bearing with housing so we call it a plummer block. Terms might differ depending on what book u read or which reference u take, but basically it can improve the main engine RPM.

Now, Always remember, things like this (plummer block defect) always come with symptoms. Things won’t just suddenly fall apart without indicators. Just like relationships, before it got broken, there are always indications that thing are going into the wrong direction, of course whether we realize of the fact or not, it's a different thing. But believe it or not the indicators are all around you when things starting to fall apart.

Anyway, trying not to divert myself from the actual topic, we got here a defective plummer block. By the time ship’s technical crew aware of this, the shaft has already shown heavy vibration with damaging noise coming from stern tube area. Fortunately, the crew made an intelligent choice by locking the shaft (from causing further damage to shaft and gearbox). Stop me if I’ve lost you.

Here’s the pic of internal components of plummer block. I think you have some idea now on what’s going on. The damaged and worn roller bearings are due to heavy friction from dispositioned bearings out of its cage.

I brought my DSLR camera to work. Gave quite a shock juga to the yard workers. Mistaken me as reporter la pulak.

The locking sleeve is also broken into two. You can imagine how strong the vibration was.

That's a very bad condition of a bearing, it's not a bearing anymore when it is no longer functions as one. The lubricant that surrounds the bearing is heavy duty grease. (smiling when i hear the word lubricant.. haha dont bother tapping my thoughts)

Just thought u might wanna know how we remove the sleeve. Takkan nak guna kenderat tangan je?? Unless if you have hantu raya kerja for you at the yard? i've heard some entiti stories to in the yard. erkkk

Walla. New roller bearings changed. well, the short version though, and how we actually replaced the bearings are different story. It involves some shafting work. I'll let you know the details after looking at the feedback of this blog. If ramai comment nak tau baru la i create another blog for this.


So basically, this is what I do every day, I don’t necessarily do the hands on job but basically I have to make a report and give recommendations for the defect rectification on the main machineries, electronics, hull and propulsion system. And yes, I don’t have a life because of my time consuming job. And I’m sorry I might be cranky at times. Bear with me, I can’t sleep in peace at night thinking my decision may cause a ship to be grounded and caused lives of ship crews at sea. On top of that my skin is getting darker ad burnt after being exposed to UV rays for hours during inspection, so dah tak handsome tapi bertambah macho. Hahahha Vain mode pula.

But no one seems to care if my work is stressful. This is different kinda stress. This is not politics at work stress or makcik makcik talking behind your back thingy. This is a pure stress coming from cracking my head at work. Is it wrong to demand for a little tiny bit of extra attention when I had to go through things that are sometimes beyond my power and intelligence?

Why is it so hard to find a girl who can love me unconditionally and would accept my weaknesses with great tolerance then eventually marry me and grow old together. That’ll be a neat love story. Enough of crazy jealous psycho bitch or a CSI girlfriend who track you down everywhere u go or attention seeker girlfriend whose feelings are on top of everyone else. Can I find a decent girlfriend with big breast? erkk wakakkaa I mean a decent girlfriend who can actually put her love ones before herself? Where have all these girls gone???

Never mind.

Let me just rectify this plummer block and continue sailing….