Marine-Motorsports Students Undertake Engine Vital Signs

Just as doctors check blood pressure, pulse, and other major systems, the Marine-Motorsports students at the Long Island Academy are learning to examine the vital signs of engines.  

After studying engine theory and safety standards during the first few weeks of school, these students hit the workshop to put it all into practice. “They will be learning to check spark, compression, and fuel,” explained Teacher Jason Pickerell.

Spark is what ignites the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Combustion is what happens in the chamber when a piston completes a compression, and fuel involves checking the fuel system and its source, which is the tank. “Today they are working on compression as they learn to break down each of the three vitals,” said Pickerell.

To do so, the workshop currently contains approximately 20 recreational vehicles that all need to be serviced, such as dirt bikes, quads, and boats with both inboard and outboard motors. The program contains a customer service component, which provides students the opportunity to maintain and repair a range of working vehicles.

The Marine-Motorsports Technology Program trains students to become marine and motorsports technicians, where they can work in specialty shops, dealerships, marinas, and repair facilities.

The Eastern Long Island Academy of Applied Technology, referred to as the Academy, is the Career and Technical Education Program of Eastern Suffolk BOCES and has locations in Bellport, Oakdale, and Riverhead. Bixhorn Tech is located on the Bellport campus.