IACS has decided to launch its own CIC to record results of testing of emergency power supply on individual ships
Tokyo MOU had come out with a safety bulletin in 2025 based on various deficiencies found during PSC inspection with respect to Emergency Generator about 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. Having said that, IACS has decided to launch its own CIC to record results of testing of emergency power supply on individual ships.
This inspection campaign will be held for 12 months commencing from 1 January 2025 and ending 31 December 2025 and examine the Emergency Power Supply of the ship. A ship will be subject to only one inspection under this CIC during the period of the IACS campaign.
It is reminded that the controlled blackout test may be accomplished by opening the Main Switch Board (MSB) / MCR bus-tie (aka transfer line) circuit breaker, while the switch is in normal mode and operation switches are in auto such as to be in a sea-going state.
The attached checklist is issued for the surveyors to collect information and for the responsible crew on board to check preventively the apparent condition of compliance, awareness and preparedness of the ship for a potential, expected or consecutive Port State Control inspection.
Any “NO” answer to a check point is to be dealt with without any delay by immediate rectification on board OR prior to vessel departure OR at first next opportunity in case of lack of facilities and supplies on board and in present port, by recording action planning by Master & Company in a recommendation endorsed in the relevant certificate by the attending surveyor.
Operators must give attention to following points:
ISM Management companies should:
- 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 such a way as to use the actual circuit paths used to meet the requirements SOLAS is Chapter II-1, Reg 42.3.1.2 / 43.3.1.2, so as to test the system completely;
- Update Company Safety Management Procedure (SMS) for emergency generator test procedures to include periodic ‘Controlled blackout tests’ (i.e. not using sequence test) to ensure the actual circuit paths required by SOLAS is Chapter II-1, Reg 42.3.1.2 / 43.3.1.2, can be accomplished a safe and practical manner, while assuring functionality of the system. Example: ‘Controlled blackout’ may be accomplished by opening MCR bus-tie (aka transfer line) circuit breaker, while the switch is in normal mode, and operation switches are in auto such as to be in a sea-going state.
- Be aware that “Sequential test” selector and/or “Routine Test Switch” (RTS), may not meet the requirements of SOLAS Chapter II-1 Reg. 42.5.4 / 43.5.4 if it sends a signal to disconnect the inter-connector instead of automatically disconnecting on loss of main source of power, and do not meet Chapter II-1 Reg. 42.7 / 43.7 when not testing the complete system.