One cause of ship blackouts is contaminated fuel, which can create problems with their main power generators, Fotis Pagoulatos, a naval architect, said.
He told the Wall Street Journal that a complete blackout could result in a ship losing propulsion, adding that smaller generators can kick in but are unable to carry all the functions of the main ones and take time to start.
The dirty fuel theory was also suggested by Henry Lipian, a retired Coast Guard lieutenant, who told NBC News: “While in port, did they take on a load of fuel? Was it the proper grade of fuel? Was it contaminated?”
A harbour pilot and assistant reported power problems and a loss of propulsion prior to the collision, according to a US Coast Guard briefing report.
“The vessel went dead, no steering power and no electronics,” said an officer aboard the ship. “One of the engines coughed and then stopped. The smell of burned fuel was everywhere in the engine room, and it was pitch black.”
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