Abstract:
The bilge pump is a vital component in a ship’s engine system, functioning to remove
accumulated liquid or water from the bilge area, the lowest part of the vessel. On board
the MT. GAS FELICITY, operational issues frequently occurred due to the absence of
proper flow monitoring, leading to serious damage to key components such as the rotor,
stator, bearings, and sleeve rubber. These problems are exacerbated by the lack of a
reliable real-time flow monitoring system. Therefore, this study aims to design and
develop a flow sensor device based on Arduino Uno to monitor the fluid flow within the
bilge pump system effectively and to provide alerts when flow disturbances are detected.
This research employs the Research and Development (R&D) method, consisting of
several stages: needs identification, system design, prototype development, testing, expert
validation, and field trials with experienced marine engineers. The designed flow sensor
is equipped with components such as a YF-S201 flow sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a 20x4
I2C LCD, an ESP32 microcontroller, and a relay module. The device is capable of
displaying real-time fluid flow data and bilge tank water levels, and it automatically
controls the pump based on predefined parameters. Field test results indicated that the
tool received a “Suitable” validity level (80%) from expert evaluation and a “Very
Suitable” practicality rating (84%) from experienced seafarers. It can be concluded that
the Arduino Uno-based flow sensor is practical, effective, and feasible for
implementation on board to enhance efficiency and prevent damage to the bilge pump.
