If engine temperature continues to rise after reducing load and verifying coolant, what is recommended?

• A. Continue operation at reduced speed
• B. Abort to a safe return
• C. Increase power to cool engine
• D. Ignore and continue

Answer: (B)

When an engine continues to overheat even after reducing load and confirming coolant, the priority is to abort to a safe return. This situation means the cooling system isn’t able to remove heat effectively at the current operating condition, and forcing further operation can quickly lead to serious engine damage. Returning to a safe location allows you to shut down if needed, inspect the cooling system for issues (like a blocked intake, faulty water pump, or thermostat sticking), and make repairs without risking a breakdown at sea.

Continuing to run at reduced speed won’t guarantee cooling and still risks overheating. Increasing power to “cool” the engine would only generate more heat and worsen the problem. Ignoring the warning and pressing on could leave you stranded or cause catastrophic engine failure.