In September 2025, a 21-year-old multi-purpose vessel engaged in international voyages was subject to a PSC inspection at Cuxhaven Port, Germany. Due to safety hazards including unauthorized wiring connections, short circuits and disabled shielding control functions existing in the electrical control boxes, distribution boxes and main switchboards, the PSC issued 17 deficiencies against the vessel, 6 of which were related to cable safety of distribution boxes, resulting in the vessel being detained by the PSC. In August of the same year, another vessel was detained at the same port due to similar electrical deficiencies (40 deficiencies in total, 7 related to electrical systems).

Such incidents indicate that electrical system deficiencies have become a key focus area of PSC inspections.

Examples of detention-worthy deficiencies:

1. In the emergency operating box of the main engine, many cables are disconnected and bridged. An automation display is broken and completely out of order. The repair must be carried out by a specialist company. The entire emergency control box of the main engine must be inspected by an authorized company. A report from the company and the classification society must be sent to PSC-GERMANY.DE.

2. Several disconnected cables and bridges were found in the engine room inside the control box (ballast water management system). The system has been manipulated.

3. Found in main switchboard, in Panel 6 and 15 (megaohm test) unsafe cable connections and bridges. Found in switch box (main air compressor 2) unsafe cable connections and flying cables. Found the cable connection of one ME lub oil pump not watertight and unsafe. Found HT Calorifier leaking. Found cable of remote control engine room crane stripped and damaged.

    4. Found an manipulation (flying additional relay) in the RWO WATER TECHNOLOGY switch box. (RWO WATER TECHNOLOGY)

5. Found in steering gear (contactor cabinet warning box) a flying relay.

It is not difficult to see from the above deficiencies that the main detention-worthy deficiencies of such aged vessels include cable bridging, unauthorized jumper wires, unsafe connections, substandard insulation tests, and messy wiring inside control boxes.

These problems may cause the failure of security functions of control systems, equipment malfunction or ship power supply interruption, threatening ship safety and crew lives.

There are three main reasons for the high incidence of such deficiencies:

1.Equipment aging: For vessels over 20 years old, cable insulation layers become aged and brittle, components suffer from fatigue, the margin of the original design decreases, and the electrical failure rate increases significantly.

2.Inadequate maintenance: To deal with frequent failures, crews or shipping companies may take temporary and non-standard repair measures, planting potential safety hazards.

3.Rigorous PSC inspections: Some PSCOs have backgrounds in electrical engineering or chief engineer, conducting more in-depth inspections with a focus on details such as cable routing, terminal block colors and unusual odors.

In view of the above situation, the following recommendations are put forward:

1.For vessels aged over 15 years, especially those 20 years and above, strengthen visual inspections of electrical systems, including the standardization of cable routing, integrity of junction boxes, and wiring conditions of main switchboards and control boxes. Incorporate the upgrade and renovation of electrical systems into the budget, gradually replace aging switchboards and control boxes, and standardize cable installation.

2.Stay vigilant against non-standard temporary repairs conducted by crew members, assess the severity of such practices, and require the vessel to formulate corrective actions when necessary. Conduct special electrical safety training for crew, emphasize the hazards of unauthorized cross-connections and messy wiring, and ensure that crew in charge of electrical equipment are properly qualified.

3.Conduct comprehensive electrical safety inspections for all fleets, particularly aged vessels, formulate formal repair plans, adopt compliant spare parts and materials, and ensure construction is carried out by qualified personnel. If serious deficiencies are identified, promptly communicate with the captain and chief engineer, explain the associated risks and potential for detention, and urge the vessel to eliminate the root causes of the defects.

------------------------------- Reprinted from PSCReady