How may a suspected tube leak on a shell-and-tube jacket water cooler most easily be located?

Correct Answer: Option A — Isolate, drain, and dry the salt water side of the heat exchanger. Remove the water box inspection plates. Visually inspect the tube sheets for signs of seepage at each of the tube ends.

Isolating and draining the salt water side allows for direct visual inspection of the tube sheet. Seepage at tube ends indicates failed ferrules or expanded joints. This method is the standard maintenance procedure under 46 CFR Subchapter F to identify localized failures without unnecessary disassembly of the shell side.