PSC deficiency code 05114: Reserve source of energy
Code 05114 covers the reserve source of energy for the radio installation, on almost every ship a bank of batteries with its own charger. It has to run the GMDSS equipment for distress and safety traffic when both the main and the emergency switchboards are dead. The inspector writing this code doubts the batteries would carry the radios for the time the rules require.
What the inspector looks at
The officer often has the GMDSS console switched to battery.
- the changeover, and whether the VHF and the MF/HF or satellite equipment keep working on battery
- battery voltage with the charger on and off
- the charger: alarms, fault lamps, automatic charging after a discharge
- the battery space: ventilation clear, batteries secured, terminals clean, no leaking electrolyte
- for vented lead-acid batteries, electrolyte level and specific gravity readings
- the record of the annual capacity check and the routine battery checks in the radio log
Common findings
- GMDSS batteries capacity test not carried out
- Batteries not holding charge, voltage low
- Battery charger faulty, alarm on GMDSS panel
- Battery room ventilation blocked
- Battery terminals heavily corroded
- Electrolyte level low, no specific gravity records
- Radio equipment not operating on reserve source
The rule behind it
SOLAS chapter IV, regulation 13 sets the sources of energy for radio installations. The reserve source must be independent of the propulsion power and the ship's electrical system, and able to run the VHF installation together with the MF, MF/HF or ship earth station installation for the sea area. Its capacity is one hour if the emergency source of power fully meets SOLAS chapter II-1 (regulation 42 or 43), including supply to the radio installation, and six hours if it doesn't. For rechargeable batteries, regulation 13 also requires an automatic charger able to restore minimum capacity within 10 hours, and a capacity check at intervals not exceeding 12 months while the ship is not at sea.
Action codes you are likely to see
Cleaning terminals or clearing a blocked vent during the inspection can be marked 10. A missing capacity check or a faulty charger usually gets 17. The reserve source isn't named as such on the IMO list of detainable deficiencies. The list does include failure of the radio equipment for distress and safety communication, and an officer may treat batteries that can't run that equipment as a ground for detention (30) under that heading. See action taken codes.
How to close it
Run the capacity check, by a discharge test or another method the maker and flag accept, and record the result. Replace batteries that fail it, and have a technician repair a charger that doesn't recharge automatically. Keep the test record, battery invoice or technician's report, and a radio log entry showing the installation working on battery, with the Form B. Related: emergency generator, satellite EPIRB and other radiocommunication findings.