A diesel-electric power unit installed in a ship's hold or on deck to supply electrical power to reefer containers.
In practice
Maintenance of shipboard generator sets follows the maker's planned maintenance schedule and is subject to classification survey. SOLAS II-1/41 requires that power supply to essential services be maintained after any single generator failure, which normally means automatic load shedding, automatic starting of standby generators, and preferential tripping of non-essential loads. Engineers carry out regular testing of automatic changeover and load-sharing functions and keep records of running hours, fuel consumption, and scheduled component replacements to demonstrate compliance with flag state and class requirements.
Regulatory detail & full definition
A generator set aboard ship comprises a diesel prime mover coupled to an alternating-current generator, mounted on a common bedplate, and installed in the engine room or in a dedicated generator room. The term is also used for portable or clip-on generator sets installed in the cargo area of container vessels to supply power to reefer containers whose integral refrigeration units cannot be connected to the ship's main distribution system. These external gensets typically run on diesel or heavy fuel oil and may be mounted on deck adjacent to reefer stacks.
Maintenance of shipboard generator sets follows the maker's planned maintenance schedule and is subject to classification survey. SOLAS II-1/41 requires that power supply to essential services be maintained after any single generator failure, which normally means automatic load shedding, automatic starting of standby generators, and preferential tripping of non-essential loads. Engineers carry out regular testing of automatic changeover and load-sharing functions and keep records of running hours, fuel consumption, and scheduled component replacements to demonstrate compliance with flag state and class requirements.
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