Facing a sudden power outage at sea. Can you navigate the crisis and keep operations running smoothly? (2024)

First and foremost most. Understand your power distribution system. It takes very little time before the other generator starts and power is restored. But those few seconds every one needs to keep calm and based on your situation prepare other available resources to mitigate any other accident or incident

My last power outage was due to a course change in the middle of the Med. We were going full speed at the time on a three Main Engine Ro/Ro with four SSDG's and the same size Emergency Generator. The course change cause the to list due to the wind each SSDG's cycled on and shut down due to low oil pressure. We were able to transfer the emergency desiel to the main switch board and correct the list top up the oil levels in the generators and restart the Main Engines. During the after action survey we found the wind speed indicator lost its propeller and the indicator was pegged out also the keel indicator were pegged both Port and Stbd. All the Engineers and unlicensed personnel worked together in the task to correct the problems.

Most of the procedures will tell you to alert Chief Engineer, assess the situation in the Engine room, proceed with recovery process. As critical systems should be operational from Emergency Switchboard focus on getting main power back on.

In that condition just calm down dont be panic it happend with us recently we got blackout because high temperatures trip of generator after blackout out all emergency lights was swith on after that withn 15 second our lineup generator was started than restored main power One of most important things that your team should be trained to handle this kind of emergency so should know how act what to start without making any panic

Some of the Points to be on top as per my experience.1. Sea or near by port- If you are in sea then keep calm and take action accordingly.If in port or near by or manoeuvring drop your anchor immediately, inform port authority and local authorities.2.Restore power as soon as possible.3. Find the most probable cause.

The best way to manage a blackout (power failure) onboard is to remain calm and composed. After blackout the emergency generator will start within 45s and power the emergency switchboard. Your first priority will be restoring power to the main switchboard and restoring propulsion. You will start by getting the supporting machinery of the generators running (booster unit, cooling water pumps, etc.). After this you will be able to get at least one generator running after which you can restore power to the main switchboard. Next you will be able to start working on getting the main engine running again in order to restore propulsion. This shall be done in a similar manner as starting the generators.

The best way to manage a blackout (power failure) onboard is to remain calm and composed. After blackout the emergency generator will start within 45s and power the emergency switchboard. Your first priority will be restoring power to the main switchboard and restoring propulsion. You will start by getting the supporting machinery of the generators running (booster unit, cooling water pumps, etc.). After this you will be able to get at least one generator running after which you can restore power to the main switchboard. Next you will be able to start working on getting the main engine running again in order to restore propulsion. This shall be done in a similar manner as starting the generators.

An example of the partial loss of power due to cooling problems can be critical.I am sure to many of you did experience this during your career as a Master . All came to trust and communication .The critical information was not passed, cooling problems / mussels growth/.Ship ended up in full storm with overheating engine ,speed had to be reduced to minimum ,automatic shut down of this engine was a reality.We managed to get to shelter by applying weather courses to minimize conditions.Basic navigation and local knowledge of the area was the key.After assessing internal damage ship safety arrived to port , pending full investigation.Communication,trust and knowledge these are fundamentals in making critical decisions.