MENGHILANGKAN GETARAN MESIN KAPAL AKIBAT GANGGUAN TEKNIS MELALUI KOMUNIKASI BERKESINAMBUNGAN ANTARA OPERATOR DAN GALANGAN: STUDI KASUS MT. FASTRON

Abstract

Vibration in ship engines caused by technical faults is a common and persistent problem in marine operations. This study examines the sources, classification, and mitigation of vibration in ship machinery through a descriptive qualitative case study of MT. Fastron (22,481 DWT), a product tanker built by PT PAL Indonesia and operated by Pertamina Shipping since 2005. Data were gathered from the authors' operational experience as marine engineers on board, technical documentation of the vessel, and relevant engineering literature on ship vibration, propeller design, and cavitation. The findings show that vibration on MT. Fastron originated mainly from propeller-related excitation forces, imperfect shaft alignment, and combustion irregularities in the main engine, consistent with classification criteria issued by Germanischer Lloyd, Lloyd's Register, and Bureau Veritas. Continuous, structured communication between the ship operator's engineers and the shipyard's naval architects over approximately three years of operation enabled iterative diagnosis and correction, ultimately eliminating the disruptive vibration. The study concludes that sustained owner-shipyard communication after delivery is a practical and low-cost complement to design-stage vibration control, and that lessons from an operating vessel can measurably improve the performance of subsequent sister ships