28 juli 2026
When a critical electrical failure occurs onboard a vessel, every day of downtime has operational and financial consequences. In late 2025, Bakker Sliedrecht was contacted by the electrical manager of a large offshore vessel after a fire had severely damaged one of the panels in the vessel’s main switchboard.
The switchboard, with an installed capacity of approximately 8,000 kW and a rated current of 6,300 A, had been in operation for nearly three decades. The incident created an urgent need for a safe, reliable and quickly deployable solution that would allow the vessel to return to service as quickly as possible.
Following the initial request, Bakker Sliedrecht mobilized two service engineers to conduct an onboard inspection and assess the extent of the damage. Based on the findings and the available technical information, the team quickly developed multiple recovery scenarios, balancing technical scope, investment requirements and delivery time.
Within days, a clear path forward was established and translated into a firm proposal. Once approved, the project moved into execution.
One of the key challenges was the age of the installation. The vessel had originally been delivered in the late 1990s, and the available documentation reflected the standards of that period. In addition, many of the original components and materials were no longer commercially available.
This required the engineering team to rapidly develop an updated switchboard design based on modern, readily available components while preserving the existing installation footprint.
Maintaining the original dimensions and cable interfaces was essential. By doing so, extensive modifications to cabling, penetrations, deckheads and surrounding infrastructure could be avoided. This significantly reduced installation complexity, minimized onboard work and accelerated the overall recovery process.
"The biggest challenge was finding the right balance between speed and technical feasibility," says Edwin Verspui, Project Manager at Bakker Sliedrecht. "The original installation dated back almost three decades, which meant many components were no longer available and documentation was limited. By redesigning the switchboard around modern equipment while maintaining the original footprint, we were able to minimize onboard modifications and meet an extremely demanding schedule."
The project was executed under demanding circumstances. Despite the complexity of the project and the challenging timeline, Bakker Sliedrecht successfully engineered, manufactured and delivered the replacement switchboard ahead of the confirmed delivery schedule.
Delivering the equipment was only one part of the solution. As the vessel progressed towards recommissioning, Bakker Sliedrecht continued to support the customer through remote technical assistance, helping the onboard team restore the electrical installation and return the vessel safely to operation.
This project demonstrates the strength of combining engineering expertise, manufacturing capability and a hands-on service mentality. By responding quickly, adapting a legacy installation to modern standards and remaining flexible throughout the process, Bakker Sliedrecht was able to provide a practical solution to a highly complex challenge.
When critical electrical systems fail, experience, responsiveness and technical creativity make the difference. But delivering the replacement equipment is only part of the job. By supporting customers throughout every phase of the lifecycle, from emergency response and engineering to recommissioning and long-term service, Bakker Sliedrecht helps keep vessels operating safely and reliably. That is what we mean by Support Throughout the Lifetime.
