Question 344Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is A) The propeller shaft must be stopped and held stationary until the clutch is engaged. This is the correct procedure to prevent damage to the turning gear mechanism. The turning gear is used to slowly rotate the propeller shaft when the main engine is not running, in order to evenly distribute lubrication and prevent deformation of the shaft and other components. If the propeller shaft is not stopped and held stationary, engaging the turning gear while the shaft is still moving can cause significant damage to the turning gear mechanism. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not directly address the need to stop and hold the propeller shaft stationary. Putting the engine order telegraph on 'stop', setting the brake on the reduction worm shaft, or reducing the speed of the astern turbine do not necessarily mean the propeller shaft itself is stopped and held in place, which is the critical step to prevent turning gear damage.