How quickly must the secondary power system respond to a failure of the main power supply?

The requirement for the secondary power system to respond to a failure of the main power supply is dictated by safety and operational standards critical to preventing loss of control during emergencies on vessels. A response time of 30 seconds is generally considered the appropriate threshold to ensure that vital systems, such as firefighting equipment and emergency backups, remain operational without significant delays.

This window allows for the necessary transition to secondary systems, ensuring that essential services continue to function and that crew can effectively manage potential emergency situations, such as a fire. A quicker response may not always be feasible due to technical limitations, while a longer response could mean that vital systems could be compromised in the interim, leading to potentially dangerous situations. Thus, the 30-second response time is established as a balanced standard in maritime safety protocols.