Electrical is one of the main and major subjects in marine engineering syllabus. Marine engineering is the field of study which mainly includes the production, development and maintenance of the various equipment which are used on board a ship. Marine engineering comprises of advance, operational and fault-finding topics. All the electrical related issues are supposed to be handled by marine engineer as a part of their on-board duties. Since there are many electrical jobs to be carried out on board ship, there are a few important jobs that need specific and extra attention and the company expects the engineer to perform it well.

Electrical Jobs Marine Engineers Must Know About

Earth Fault Finding: The most usual and familiar problems in an electrical system is earth fault. Extreme patience is required to find an earth fault. A marine engineer must know the technique and instruments to find out an earth fault.

Motor Overhauling: Electrical motors are frequently present on ships, while these motors drive various other machinery systems such as purifiers, pumps and fans. During the failure or the breakdown, maintenance has to be done and also the maintenance must be done according to the planned maintenance system. Each and every marine engineer should be thorough with the entire overhauling procedure of motors. Also, they must be familiar with the safety procedures required during overhauling.

Starter Panel Routine: The starter panel of every electrical system consist of contacts which requires regular maintenance of burnouts, breakage, deposits accumulation etc. Maintenance of the starter panel is a part of a planned maintenance job and all safety measures should be taken before executing.

Engine Automation: Engine automation is an important and major part to be considered during maintenance in order to ensure the overall safety of the ship. Various automation, alarms and trips are being provided by main engine and ship’s generator. Every marine engineer should know the system of ship automation and troubleshooting associated problems in few days of joining the ship.

Charging Battery Onboard: The main purpose of batteries is for emergency backup and for operating emergency LSA like lifeboat. Within regular interval of time, the charging and the maintenance must be carried out. A marine engineer must know the process.

Adjusting Load Sensor of Mooring Winch: Use of mooring winch is to berth a ship to the jetty. The mooring winch is one of the important machineries used. The massive load applied by the mooring ropes on the winch is handled in a safe limit by a load sensor. The sensor will trip the mooring winch if the load surpasses the limits. The procedure of the adjustment of the load sensor of a mooring winch must be known by the marine engineer.

Bus Bar Overhauling: This job is usually is carried out during dry dock. The bus bar of the ship carries and transmit the power generated by the ship’s generator. It is necessary to know the correct isolating and maintenance procedure for bus bar when the ship is at normal voyage or out of water in dry dock.

Shore Connection / AMP: The green revolution instigated cold ironing or alternate marine power for dry docks which was previously used only in dry dock, and in ports which are currently used in many ports mainly for cruise ships. Thus, the shore power parameters are a bit different such as voltage, frequency etc. A marine engineer must have the knowledge of how to connect the shore power to ship supply with the help of frequency converter or transformer.