USCG issues safety alert on maritime power restoration

The United States Coast Guard has issued Safety Alert 10-24 to stress the importance of ship engineering personnel being trained and familiar with onboard electrical generation systems and emergency power restoration procedures.

This alert was prompted by a recent incident in Delaware Bay where a ship operating in a restricted waterway lost its main power supply and had to rely on its emergency generator for over an hour. The delay in restoring main power revealed significant gaps in the crew’s training and familiarity with restoration protocols.

During the incident, the crew faced multiple challenges. A non-audible alarm on the generator control panel required manual acknowledgment before the ship’s service generators could restart. However, this alarm was not integrated into the ship’s machinery monitoring system and was easily overlooked. This oversight, combined with the crew’s limited knowledge of the control panel, delayed power restoration. Compounding the problem, numerous alarms on the bridge and in the engine control room distracted operators from critical navigation and ship-handling tasks, creating further safety risks.

To prevent similar incidents, the Coast Guard recommends that vessel owners, operators, and officers take the following steps:

Review and enhance Safety Management System (SMS) procedures to ensure they address crew training and familiarity with electrical systems and emergency protocols. Develop or refine procedures for restoring main power during blackouts.
Train crew members on the steps required to restore the electrical plant efficiently, focusing on reducing response times during power loss events.
Conduct regular blackout and power reset drills under safe conditions to ensure the crew can effectively apply emergency procedures.

Restoring a ship’s main power supply quickly is critical for maintaining essential systems like navigation, communication, and propulsion. Delays in restoration can significantly compromise safety, especially in restricted waterways or high-traffic areas.

This Safety Alert is intended to provide guidance and encourage best practices. For questions, the Coast Guard can be contacted at HQS-SMB-CGINV@uscg.mil.