Reliability and Replacement Analysis of Marine Diesel Propulsion Systems: a Review

Abstract

The applicability of systems reliability and replacement analysis to the marine industry, in particular to marine diesel enngines, is discussed, in a comprehensive survey of both the scholarly literature and industry practices. The paper begins with a discussion of reliability methodology and its vital contributions to failure made analysis. A review of general maintenance, repair and replacement models is then undertaken as a guide to potential adaptation to and/or development of such analyses for marine diesel engines. An overview of current maintenance, repair and replacement practices of several U.S. Great Lakes operators whose vessels are equipped with diesel engines is finally presented.