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Lecky Boy, Cityland Calle Estacion, Makati (2026)

03/08/2026

Sharing My Troubleshooting On Ballast Remote Valve No Response After Command‼️

02/08/2026

Sharing With You My Troubleshooting in Cargo Hold Ventilation Fans‼️

01/08/2026

Sharing With You How I Rectify Pilot Door False Indication‼️

During routine operation, the Chief Mate reported that the pilot door was generating a false alarm despite the door being properly closed. An inspection of the pilot door indication system was carried out to identify the root cause of the fault. Initial troubleshooting revealed that one of the proximity sensors was not being triggered by the metal frame of the pilot door. The sensor position was adjusted to increase its sensitivity and improve alignment with the metal target; however, the sensor still failed to detect the door.

To eliminate the possibility of a defective proximity sensor, the existing sensor was replaced with a new unit. Despite the replacement, the sensor continued to show no indication of detecting the metal frame, suggesting that the fault was not with the sensor itself. Further investigation focused on the electrical wiring between the proximity sensor and its terminal box. Continuity testing was conducted along the entire cable route, which confirmed that the power supply circuit to the proximity sensor had an open connection caused by a broken conductor.

As no spare cable was available onboard for immediate replacement, an alternative corrective action was carried out. The sensor cable connector was opened, and all internal wire connections were carefully re-soldered to restore electrical continuity. After reassembling the connector and conducting operational tests, the proximity sensor responded correctly, and the pilot door indication system returned to normal operation. The false alarm was successfully eliminated, and the pilot door status was accurately indicated.

Rectifying this fault was essential to ensure the reliability of the pilot door monitoring system. A properly functioning pilot door indication system is critical for navigation safety, as it provides the bridge with accurate confirmation of the pilot door’s status. False alarms or incorrect indications can lead to unnecessary operational interruptions, confusion during pilot transfer operations, and the potential risk of navigating with an unsecured pilot door. Prompt restoration of the system ensured compliance with vessel safety requirements and improved the overall reliability of the alarm and monitoring system.

31/07/2026

Sharing My Troubleshooting on Ballast Remote Valve No. 14, 15, and 16 Not Responding After Command‼️

The Chief Officer reported that Ballast Remote Valves No. 14, 15, and 16 were not responding to remote open and close commands from the Ballast Control System. Upon receiving the report, an initial inspection was carried out through the Alarm Monitoring System (AMS) to verify the communication status of the affected remote valve system. No communication fault or loss of communication was indicated by the AMS, suggesting that the PLC communication network was functioning normally.

To further investigate the issue, an onboard inspection was conducted at the solenoid valve cabinet located in the pipe tunnel. The electrical wiring diagram was reviewed, and it was confirmed that the PLC communication circuit and the 24 VDC power supply for the solenoid valves are supplied by separate power sources. During inspection, the dedicated 24 VDC power supply feeding the solenoid valves was found to be defective, resulting in the affected solenoid valves receiving no operating voltage. This explains why the AMS did not register any communication failure, as the PLC communication power supply remained operational while only the solenoid valve power supply had failed.

As part of the troubleshooting process, the resistance of all connected solenoid valve coils was measured and compared. All solenoid valves were found to have good and nearly identical resistance values, indicating that the coils were in good condition. Additionally, insulation and continuity checks confirmed that no short circuit was present in the solenoid valve wiring or load circuit. These findings eliminated the solenoid valves and field wiring as the source of the fault and confirmed that the problem originated from the power supply unit.

The power supply unit was removed and tested separately in the workshop, where it initially produced a normal 24 VDC output under no-load conditions. However, once reinstalled and connected to the actual system load, the power supply immediately shut down and was unable to maintain its 24 VDC output. This behavior indicates that the power supply is unable to deliver the required current under load. The most probable cause is an internal failure of the power supply, such as degraded electronic components or a faulty overload/protection circuit, causing the unit to trip and shut down whenever a load is applied. Since the connected solenoid valves and wiring were verified to be in good condition and free from short circuits, the failure is most likely internal to the power supply itself.

At present, a replacement 24 VDC power supply has been requested and is awaiting delivery. As a temporary operational measure, Ballast Remote Valves No. 14, 15, and 16 are being operated manually whenever ballast operations require them to be opened or closed, ensuring that ballast operations can continue safely until the defective power supply is replaced.

30/07/2026

Sharing My Experience on Burst LED Driver Capacitor‼️

Normal Day at Dry Dock, it was observed that several engine room floodlights were not functioning. In addition, the lighting circuit breaker had tripped, causing the affected engine room lighting circuit and the associated 220 V convenience sockets to become inoperative. This resulted in inadequate illumination and the loss of power supply to the electrical outlets within the affected area.

To determine the cause of the fault, the lighting circuit was traced and each floodlight was inspected individually. Upon investigation, one of the LED floodlights was found to be defective. Further inspection revealed that its LED driver had failed, and one of the internal capacitors had burst. The failed LED driver created an electrical fault within the lighting circuit, causing the protective breaker to trip and interrupt the power supply to both the engine room floodlights and the 220 V convenience sockets.

The probable cause of the LED driver failure was the deterioration of its internal electronic components due to prolonged service in the harsh engine room environment. Continuous exposure to high ambient temperatures, vibration, humidity, and electrical transients may have accelerated the aging of the driver’s internal capacitor, eventually leading to its failure and causing a short circuit that tripped the breaker.

Therefore I immediately replaced the defective LED floodlight and its failed LED driver. Fortunately, a suitable spare assembly was available on board from another floodlight whose front glass had previously been broken while its internal components remained in good working condition. The serviceable LED driver and light assembly were transferred to the defective unit, and all electrical connections were inspected and secured before re-energizing the circuit.

After the replacement was completed, the circuit breaker was reset and the lighting system was tested. The repaired floodlight operated normally, the breaker remained stable without further tripping, and power was successfully restored to the engine room lighting circuit and the associated 220 V convenience sockets. Adequate illumination and electrical supply were restored, improving the safety and operational readiness of the engine room during the dry docking period.

27/07/2026

Total Blackout‼️

The maintenance of the main switchboard during dry docking is one of the most important electrical maintenance activities carried out on board. Since the switchboard is the main source of electrical power distribution throughout the vessel, its reliability is essential for the safe operation of all machinery and equipment. After months of continuous operation, electrical components may become affected by heat, vibration, dust, moisture, and the marine environment. During dry docking, the switchboard is opened for a detailed inspection, where electrical connections are tightened, circuit breakers are serviced, busbars are cleaned, insulation is tested, and protective devices are checked to ensure they are operating correctly. This preventive maintenance helps identify worn or damaged components before they cause unexpected failures at sea.

A planned total blackout is necessary to perform this maintenance safely. Since the switchboard contains live electrical parts carrying high voltage and current, it must be completely isolated from all power sources before any work can begin. De-energizing the switchboard eliminates the risk of electric shock, arc flash, or accidental short circuits that could endanger personnel or damage equipment. It also allows accurate testing of insulation, circuit breakers, and protection systems, which cannot be properly carried out while the switchboard is energized.

Although a total blackout temporarily interrupts the vessel’s electrical supply, it is a carefully planned operation conducted during dry docking when the ship is not in service. Completing this maintenance ensures that the switchboard remains safe, reliable, and capable of supplying uninterrupted electrical power once the vessel returns to operation, reducing the risk of electrical failures and costly breakdowns during voyages.

26/07/2026

Installation of Bridge AC Package Phase Controller‼️

25/07/2026

Sharing With You My Troubleshooting on Pilot Door False Indication‼️

During the dry docking period, the Chief Officer reported that both pilot door indication systems were giving false alarms after the maintenance. Although both pilot doors were physically closed and properly secured, the bridge and ccr indication continuously showed that the doors were open.

Upon receiving the report, I conducted an inspection of the pilot door indication system. I first referred to the equipment manual to verify the operating principle and identified that the system utilizes multiple inductive proximity sensors connected in series to monitor the closed position of the pilot doors. Based on the wiring configuration, I performed a systematic inspection of each proximity sensor individually to determine which component was causing the false indication.

During the troubleshooting process, I tested the sensing capability of each proximity sensor by introducing a metallic target within its sensing range. One of the proximity sensors failed to detect the metal target, resulting in an open circuit condition that continuously generated the false door-open indication. On the opposite pilot door, the proximity sensor was still operational but its sensing distance had deteriorated due to reduced sensitivity. To restore proper operation, I adjusted the sensor position to ensure adequate sensing distance and reliable detection of the pilot door metal when fully closed.

While carrying out the inspection, I also observed that one of the inductive proximity sensors had sustained physical damage. The defective sensor was replaced with a new unit, and its alignment was adjusted according to the manufacturer’s recommended sensing distance.

After completing the necessary adjustments and replacement, functional tests were conducted by repeatedly opening and closing both pilot doors. The indication system responded correctly during every test, accurately displaying the door status without any false alarms. The pilot door monitoring system was confirmed to be operating normally, and both pilot door indications were restored to full serviceable condition.

24/07/2026

Maintenance of the Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) and Marine Growth Prevention System (MGPS)‼️

During dry docking it is vital to have this maintenance because both systems protect the vessel’s underwater hull and seawater systems from corrosion and marine fouling. Dry docking provides the only practical opportunity to inspect, repair, clean, and test the hull-mounted anodes, reference electrodes, cofferdams, cables, and sea chests, which are inaccessible while the vessel is afloat. Over time, these components can become damaged, worn, or coated with marine growth, reducing their effectiveness.

Proper maintenance of the ICCP ensures that the hull receives the correct protective current, preventing corrosion and extending the service life of the ship’s steel structure and propeller. Likewise, maintaining the MGPS ensures a continuous release of protective ions to prevent the buildup of marine organisms inside seawater cooling lines, sea chests, and condensers. This helps maintain efficient cooling performance, reduces the risk of blockages, and minimizes unplanned maintenance.

Therefore, servicing the ICCP and MGPS during dry docking improves the reliability of both systems, protects the vessel from corrosion and biofouling, reduces maintenance costs, and helps ensure safe and efficient operation throughout the next service period.

23/07/2026

Importance of Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB) Maintenance During Dry Docking‼️

Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB) maintenance is an essential part of a vessel’s dry docking activities because it ensures the reliability and safety of the electrical distribution system. Since the vessel’s electrical equipment can be safely isolated during dry docking, it provides the ideal opportunity to inspect, clean, test, and service the VCB without affecting normal operations. Maintenance includes checking the operating mechanism, electrical connections, insulation, auxiliary contacts, and protection functions to ensure the breaker operates correctly during fault conditions.

Regular VCB maintenance helps prevent unexpected failures, protects generators, transformers, and switchboards from electrical faults, and reduces the risk of power interruptions or vessel blackouts. It also extends the service life of the breaker and ensures compliance with the vessel’s Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and classification society requirements. Overall, proper VCB maintenance improves the safety, reliability, and continuous operation of the ship’s electrical system.

Lecky Boy

03/08/2026

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