Evaluation of Maintenance Practices for Marine Generators Aboard Coastal Cargo Vessels in Cross River State

Marine generators provide essential electrical power for navigation, communication, crew accommodation, and cargo handling systems aboard coastal vessels. This study evaluates the maintenance practices applied to marine generators on coastal cargo vessels operating from the Port of Calabar and coastal jetties in Cross River State. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with data collected through structured interviews with forty-five marine engineers, vessel masters, and maintenance technicians, as well as physical inspection of generator maintenance logs aboard twenty-two vessels. The study assesses maintenance intervals, spare parts availability, fault diagnosis practices, and adherence to manufacturer service schedules. Findings reveal that over half of the sampled vessels operate generators beyond the manufacturer-recommended service intervals, with maintenance triggered primarily by breakdown rather than preventive scheduling. Common faults identified include fuel system contamination, cooling water pump failures, and worn alternator brushes. The study attributes deferred maintenance to financial pressures on vessel operators, limited technical training of onboard engineers, and poor availability of genuine generator spare parts in the Calabar market. Generator breakdowns at sea have been associated with loss of navigation lights and communication systems, creating safety hazards. Recommendations include introduction of a minimum maintenance standard for coastal vessel generators through NIMASA regulation, operator support for access to original equipment manufacturer spare parts, and integration of generator maintenance into seafarer training curricula. Keywords: marine generators, maintenance practices, coastal vessels, Cross River State, electrical power systems