Developing an advanced reliability analysis framework for marine systems operations and maintenance

Power generation system reliability is of great concern for all ship operators irrespective of sector, as it provides the highest utility and ensures collective safety of operators, passengers, equipment and cargo. A novel approach to system reliability analysis using DFTA, FMECA and BBN applied to 4 DGs has been conducted. The outcomes provide insight on faults and component criticality to vessel maintenance and availability. Building from the understanding of how multiple factors can influenced maintenance in addition to routine or age-related wear and tear of machinery. This research looked into operators’ peculiar challenges regarding environment, operational demands and technology challenges that affects maintenance and system reliability. A framework based on outputs from DFTA minimal cut set, RPN from FMECA were used as inputs for BBN to analyse ship marine DG system availability. A BBN influence diagram was used to build a maintenance strategy DSS. Overall outcome for the maintenance strategy selection DSS indicates relatively high unavailability. Therefore, DGs with low availability were recommended to be on Corrective action and ConMon, while DGs with good availability were recommended to be on PMS. •Most critical component failures were associated to cooling system.•The lubricating system has the highest reliability of all the systems failure.•The cooling system has the lowest reliability.•Sea chest blockage and scale build-up among major faults.