Blackout on Ship: What Initial Steps Should Be Taken?
For every sailor, a blackout is a familiar yet terrifying situation. It’s a dreadful experience for all crew members, as it can cripple the entire ship. From the bridge to the engine room, from the mess hall to the crew quarters, everyone is affected.
If you work in the engine room, then a power outage is your responsibility, and you must take responsibility; sooner or later, you will be blamed.
In this article, we will learn about the initial steps to take when a power outage occurs on board.
Understanding of Blackout on the Ship
A power outage refers to the cessation of operation of the ship’s main propulsion system and related machinery (such as boilers, purifiers, and other auxiliary equipment) due to a failure of the ship’s power generation system (generators and alternators).
Thanks to technology and automation, ships have implemented measures such as automatic load-sharing and backup systems to prevent power outages. In this system, if a running diesel generator fails, a parallel backup generator set will automatically start.
What to Do During a Blackout?
In the event of a power outage, the following precautions and actions should be taken:
Remain calm. The emergency generator will restore power quickly.
Briefly report the situation to the bridge supervisor.
Gather the crew and notify the chief engineer.
If the primary propulsion system is running, place the fuel rod to zero.
Disconnect the fuel supply to the purifier during operation to prevent fuel spillage and waste.
If the auxiliary boiler is running, close the main steam shut-off valve to maintain steam pressure.
Identify and resolve the power outage problem and its cause.
If the emergency generator powers the pre-lubrication pump, start the pump before starting the generator set. If the above methods are ineffective, use the manual lubrication rod (available on some generators).
Start and test the generator. Then immediately start the main engine lubrication oil pump and the main engine cooling water pump.
Reset the circuit breakers and start all other necessary machinery and systems. Reset the circuit breakers in the priority order of operation (non-essential machinery).
Handling power outages requires skill and patience, especially when the ship is navigating or maneuvering. However, the best approach is to remain calm and familiarize yourself with the cabin and mechanical equipment beforehand.
