Question 59Motor Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is C. The reasoning is that when a slow speed engine with a mechanical starting air system fails to restart in the ahead direction, the immediate action should be to change the engine's direction to astern position and try to restart it in that position. This is because the act of attempting to restart the engine in the astern position can help to clear any obstruction or issue in the engine that is preventing it from restarting in the ahead direction. Once the engine successfully restarts in the astern position, the engine can then be switched back to the ahead position to continue the operation. The other options, while reasonable actions, do not directly address the immediate need to restart the engine. Informing the bridge (options A and B) is important, but does not directly resolve the issue. Checking the starting air system (option D) is also a good troubleshooting step, but may not be the immediate priority compared to attempting to restart the engine in the astern position.