The marine environment is one of the most unforgiving settings for superyacht equipment, and are among the essential machinery that can often fall victim to rust, dust and disrepair in the depths of the engine room.

Generators are, however one of the most important pieces of machinery in a yacht's power puzzle, but, more often than not, they are left untouched in the corner of the engine room, only to be checked or maintained when there is a problem.

Without a working power source, superyacht owners, guests and crew can be left without air conditioning, electronics, galley equipment and more, rendering the yacht useless.

Prolonging the life of your marine generator

As with all equipment and machinery, there are certain steps that can be taken to prolong the life of your marine generator, and avoid problems.

Switch to shore power wherever possible

Connecting up to shore power is a must for any superyacht when it is berthed in a port or marina with appropriate facilities. This allows the generator to rest, adding days, weeks and even months onto its lifespan. Shore power is also a much more cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to powering your yacht.

However, shore power isn’t always as simple as simply connecting a power cable to the dockside power source. In fact, certain considerations often need to be taken into account in order to run equipment at optimal performance and not harm the on-board systems.

Preparing marine generators pre-departure

It’s recommended that you should follow these steps before setting sail on a cruise, ensuring that the generator is properly prepared for the trip ahead.

Carry out standard checks at least once a week before departure

Make sure you review your operations manual and generators at least one week before the yacht departs to ensure you are familiar with the systems, and perform all required actions, such as oil and filters changes. Be prepared for the worst to happen, as in peak seasons, marine generator service centers may require a few day's wait until a technician is available.