1 Tokyo MOU – Safety Bulletin – July 2024 Safety risks of emergency power supply testing Safety Bulletin 04/2024 July 2024 This safety update is for: • Ship Operators and Shipmasters • Classification Societies, Maritime Administrations, their officers, investigators and technical advisors Emergency Power Supply Testing This update is issued to raise awareness of the potential risk of testing of automatic start of emergency source of electrical power and connection to the emergency switchboard (SOLAS Ch. II-1, Regulation 42 / 43) using simulated blackout method. 2 Tokyo MOU – Safety Bulletin – July 2024 Safety risks of emergency power supply testing Emergency Power Supply Testing Attention Ship Operators, shipmasters, and Classification Societies There have been numerous observations by PSCOs where the “simulated blackout” testing of the Emergency Generator is demonstrated as fully functional, but during an actual power blackout, the system does not meet the requirements of SOLAS Ch. II-1, Reg. 42 / 43. 3 Tokyo MOU – Safety Bulletin – July 2024 Safety risks of emergency power supply testing Emergency Power Supply Testing Be aware of risk, take precautions and comply with SOLAS requirements SOLAS Ch. II-1 Reg 42.3.1.2 / 43.3.1.2 The emergency source of electrical power shall start automatically upon failure of the electrical supply from the main source of electrical power and shall be automatically connected to the emergency switchboard(...). SOLAS Ch. II-1 Reg 42.7 / 43.7 Provision shall be made for the periodic testing of the complete emergency system and shall include the testing of automatic starting arrangements Common Shipboard Practice Use of “Sequence Test” or “Routine Test Switch (RTS)” for testing emergency generator In meeting the requirements of SOLAS Chapter II-1 Regulation 42.7 / 43.7, many if not most ships, in undertaking routine testing in accordance with their preventative maintenance procedures, make use of a “Sequential test” selector and/or “Routine Test Switch” (RTS) for the testing of the emergency generator. It has been identified these simulated blackouts use a different logic than when a ‘controlled’ blackout is performed. Therefore, the actual circuits, relays, and Printed Circuit Boards when used in a real situation are not tested during routine maintenance to demonstrate SOLAS operational requirements. 4 Tokyo MOU – Safety Bulletin – July 2024 Safety risks of emergency power supply testing Emergency Power Supply Testing What has been observed by Port State Control Officers? PSCOs have observed an alarming number of ships that were able to demonstrate a satisfactory test of the emergency generator utilizing a Sequence Test or RTS, but when tested by opening the Main Switch Board (MSB) Bus Tie (controlled blackout), the emergency generator was unable to: 1) automatically start; or 2) provide transitional power; or 3) automatically connect to the emergency switchboard. As such, these simulated blackout tests of the emergency generator may not meet the requirements of SOLAS Ch. II-1, Reg. 43.7, and more importantly, give ships’ engineers a false sense of readiness of the ship’s emergency systems in the case an emergency. This may endanger life, ship, and the environment. Recommendations ISM Management companies should: 1. Ensure that any device such a “Sequential test” selector and/or “Routine Test Switch” (RTS), fitted to the ship for the purposes of testing the simulation blackout test are designed and wired in