Black-start capability

Black-start capability is the plant’s ability to restore electrical power after a total blackout without any external supply, using onboard stored energy. The emergency generator starts automatically on its own battery and air, energizes the emergency switchboard, then feeds starting air compressors, lube-oil and fuel pumps so a main generator can be started and the main switchboard re-energized. SOLAS Ch II-1 Reg 43/44 requires the emergency source to start and connect within 45 seconds of main-power loss. The power management system then sequences heavy consumers back on to avoid a second blackout.