Ship Engineer how-to

How to Troubleshoot a Generator at Sea

Power loss is serious.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Power loss is serious. In short: start; check; check, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Start the standby.

  2. Check fuel.

  3. Check cooling.

  4. Check controls.

  5. Fix the fault.

  6. Test under load.

Safety reminders for ship engineers

  • Follow lockout/tagout
  • Wear hearing protection
  • Manage heat stress
  • Follow confined space rules

USCG · MMC · TWIC · Port · Starboard · Chief engineer: see the full ship engineer glossary.

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