Chirp Maritime’s Superyacht Feedback unveils an unsettling incident from the luxury maritime sector - a battery explosion on a superyacht during a routine positional shift. Lack of appropriate 'handover communications' and 'battery-management' spell disaster.

As the superyacht embarked on a routine shift of anchorage positions, the power management system, in response to increased load on the switchboard stemming from use of bow thruster, activated a third generator. No sooner than the generator was initiated, a loud bang echoed across the lower engine room followed by a battery alarm. The crew responded with prompt measures, swiftly anchoring the yacht and reporting the incident. Investigation unveiled a scene of chaos - two exploded generator starter batteries causing smoke and extensive damage. An overcharged situation, resulting in a hydrogen gas build-up and a consequent spark ignition, was deduced as the cause behind the explosion. This was further aggravated by the batteries in use, which were not of the required capacity and thus posed a heightened risk. Unfortunately, this crucial information was lost in handover between chief engineers, drawing attention towards the need for comprehensive 'handover protocols' and meticulous 'battery management', even as the industry continues to grapple with Lithium-Ion battery-related concerns.