Question 70 OSE02 - Assistant Engineer - OSV

The Correct Answer is B **Why Option B is Correct:** Option B ("Bring the throttle and clutch control to the stop position, then investigate the cause of low clutch air pressure.") is the appropriate response because the combination of a major alarm (low clutch air pressure) and the physical indication of equipment failure (the faint odor of burning rubber) signifies an immediate and critical propulsion system emergency. * **Low Clutch Air Pressure:** The clutch requires adequate air pressure to engage and disengage properly and safely. Insufficient pressure can lead to slippage. * **Odor of Burning Rubber:** This strongly indicates that the friction elements within the clutch (or potentially the surrounding equipment like belts/seals) are overheating and failing due to slippage or misalignment. * **Immediate Action:** Allowing the clutch to slip under load will rapidly increase heat, leading to catastrophic damage to the clutch, gearbox, and potentially the engine, creating a fire hazard, and resulting in loss of propulsion. The priority must be to immediately remove the load (by bringing the throttle/engine speed to idle) and fully disengage the clutch (by bringing the clutch control to stop/neutral) to prevent further damage and halt the heat generation before investigating. Investigation must only occur once the dangerous condition is stabilized. **Why Other Options Are Incorrect:** * **A) Investigate the cause of low clutch air pressure, then reduce the engine load and speed if necessary.** This is incorrect because investigation (A) takes time, and during that time, the clutch is actively slipping under load, rapidly exacerbating the damage and heat generation. Immediate load removal (stopping the clutch/throttle) is necessary first. * **C) Investigate the cause of low clutch air pressure, then bring the throttle and clutch control to the stop position if necessary.** This is incorrect for the same reason as A. The condition (low pressure + burning rubber) is confirmed critical; stopping the movement/load is mandatory, not conditional or secondary to investigation. * **D) Reduce the load and speed on the engine, then investigate the cause of low clutch air pressure.** While reducing load is good, it is insufficient. Merely reducing load/speed might still allow the clutch to slip, generating heat. The control must be brought completely to the stop/neutral position (as described in B) to definitively disengage the failing clutch mechanism and stop the slipping friction before investigation can safely proceed.