The analysis of class survey methods and their impact on the reliability of marine power plants

This article examines the selection methodology of class surveys of a shipborne engine room and its impact on the reliability and operation indicators of a marine power plant. We describe the characteristics of four available class survey methods and then carry out a reliability analysis on the basis of four months of activity on six different ships operating on international voyages, taking into account the two most common supervision methods: renewal and continuous survey. Based on this analyses, we conclude that the reliability indices of a marine power plant, classified according to the continuous method, were slightly lower than for the renewal method. However, we identified potential benefits in terms of overall ship maintenance costs, due to a faster and more economical 5-yearly shipyard survey.