Abstract:
The decline in freshwater production in the Fresh Water Generator (FWG) on board MV.
Pan Flower has become an issue requiring special attention, as its production capacity
decreased from the normal rate of 20 tons per day to only 13–14 tons per day. This
problem was caused by disruptions in the evaporation process due to the formation of
scaling and fouling on the evaporator, a decrease in the vacuum level resulting from
reduced ejector pump performance, and the suboptimal implementation of maintenance
procedures. This study aimed to analyze the factors contributing to the decline in
freshwater production and to identify appropriate optimization measures for the
evaporation process in order to maintain the performance of the FWG. The research
employed a case study method using a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were
collected through observations, interviews, and documentation during the sea practice
period from August 2024 to August 2025, and were subsequently analyzed using a
fishbone diagram to systematically identify the root causes of the problem. The findings
revealed that scaling and fouling on the evaporator, inadequate vacuum conditions caused
by less-than-optimal ejector pump performance, as well as operational and maintenance
factors, were the primary causes of the reduced freshwater production. The recommended
corrective actions include carrying out regular evaporator cleaning and descaling
procedures, maintaining stable heating temperatures and vacuum conditions, enhancing
operational supervision, and implementing preventive maintenance in accordance with
the Planned Maintenance System (PMS). The implementation of these measures is
expected to optimize the performance of the Fresh Water Generator, thereby ensuring a
sustainable supply of freshwater throughout the voyage.
