Onboard electrical systems have to survive vibration, moisture, salt exposure, and tight spaces that shore-side wiring never has to deal with — and they have to satisfy class society and flag state requirements on top of that. Before signing a contractor for a newbuilding or retrofit, it's worth checking a few specifics.
Experience with your vessel type
A contractor with a strong record on passenger vessels isn't automatically qualified for an offshore support vessel's electrical systems. Ask for examples of work on vessels similar in size, class, and system complexity to yours.
Familiarity with your class society
Different class societies have different documentation and inspection expectations. A contractor who's worked with your specific class society will move through approvals faster than one who has to learn the requirements mid-project.
Materials and certification for marine-grade work
Marine cabling, connectors, and switchgear need to be rated for the environment they're going into — moisture resistance, temperature range, and often hazardous-area certification for spaces like engine rooms or tank areas. Ask specifically what materials will be used and whether they're marine-certified, not just “compatible.”
How they handle coordination with other trades
Electrical work rarely happens in isolation on a build — it has to sequence around structural, mechanical, and outfitting work. A contractor who can describe how they coordinate with the yard's schedule (rather than just their own scope) is less likely to become the reason for delays.
References, not just a portfolio
Photos of a finished switchboard don't tell you how the project actually went. Ask for a reference you can actually call — someone who worked with the contractor through the full project, including the parts that didn't go according to plan.