Page 40: of Marine News Magazine (November 2013)

other information such as power, GPS, etc. And, although most KRAL fuel meters are installed as permanent equip- ment, some operators use them for speciÞ c purposes, as well. For example, each Sentinel class (FRC) Coast Guard vessel being delivered is Þ tted with KRAL equipment dur- ing sea trials to demonstrate performance. KRAL equip- ment is also used to provide data for engine testing by Fair- banks Morse and MaK engines. Customer driven as always, KRAL remains ß exible in how and what it provides to customers. Tchegg adds, ÒWhat you do with the data is your business Ð and KRAL can integrate that data, as needed.Ó Imtech Marine USA Imtech Marine USA Managing Director Captain Eric Clarke told MarineNews in October, ÒWe need to under- stand the complete situation on board. Constant commu- nications are available and should be exploited. This can be as simple or as complicated as you want.Ó He explains fur- ther, ÒToday, everything can be connected and networked and is Þ tted for remote diagnostics.Ó The overarching goal of remote monitoring should be to save money. Remote support, remote maintenance, remote reconÞ guration of systems is possible in many cases. Integrat- ed bridge systems are an excellent example. In one situation, says Clarke, ImtechÕs solution was able to detect overheat- ing equipment on board the vessel and called the Captain. Investigations showed that the A/C in that space had failed. Because it was repaired immediately, the call prevented a much bigger problem later. Beyond this, technicians can sometimes diagnose, trouble-shoot and eliminate problems remotely, obviating the need to ß y technical personnel thou- sands of miles at great expense. Clarke adds, ÒLike cable pro- viders ashore, some companies are reluctant to send someone out if the problem can be Þ xed remotely via telephone. The same goes for ships equipped with SATCOM.Ó Better known as a system integrator of equipment and technology for ships and workboats, Imtech leverages that expertise in the remote monitoring game. ÒNot only can we can integrate all of that Ð we can ÔtalkÕ to the whole ship, as well. Our advantage stems from the fact that we see many ships, many systems, and have more experience with more manufacturers. We can apply that experience to your vessel.Ó Not every customer that uses Imtech to integrate ship- board systems also employs remote monitoring. But, says Clarke, the percentage is growing. ÒDo ships really need to have remote monitoring? Absolutely,Ó says Clarke, ÒIt is coming faster than we thought it would.Ó Selling the service means having to demonstrate the ben- eÞ ts by amortizing the cost over time. That part is usually easy, but for those not quite sold on the concept, Imtech has leasing options for those who want to take service out for a spin before diving all the way in. The Ònext big thingÓ in terms of remote monitoring, ac- cording to Clarke, will probably be the real time transmit- tal of Vessel Data Recorder (VDR) information. Already on board most vessels, now some operators are looking to get course, speed, rudder angle, engines, GPS positioning Ð as many as 20 data points Ð in the hands of shore-based personnel, in real time. OEM agnostic and working with global manufacturers, Imtech is actually active in the inland markets overseas and now, is trying to more fully penetrate a domestic market that includes almost 40,000 hulls. The possibilities for those vessels are endless. But, remote monitoring from Im- techÕs three help centers Ð Houston, Rotterdam and Singa- pore Ð is anything but local. Following the sun, it provides 24/7 coverage for all customers. Advanced Mechanical Enterprises / Windrock Teaming up for a different twist on remote monitor- ing are Advanced Mechanical Enterprises (AME) and Windrock. Providing a unique service that both provides surveys and engine monitoring across an entire ß eet from just one system, AME is the authorized the distributor for Windrock in the marine markets. Described simply as Òan EKG of engine conditionsÓ providing Òa digital picture of performance,Ó WindrockÕs technology does so much more than that.Windrock specializes in the design, manufacture and dis- tribution of portable and online monitoring and diagnostic instruments, software, sensors, and systems for reciprocat- ing machinery. Windrock products are used by engineers to monitor, trend, alarm, and diagnose the mechanical con- dition and performance of reciprocating engines, compres- sors, and pumps. Drilling down further, Windrock technology checks the mechanical condition of cylinders, injectors, liners, bearings and crankshafts. The ultrasonic monitoring system takes its roots from its U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Navy customers. Some use portable Windrock analyzers while others utilize Þ xed, permanent systems. WindrockÕs core market has historically been rooted in the gas markets, which leaves it arguably well-positioned for what comes next. So far, its application on board the commercial workboat sector has been limited, but thatÕs FLEET OPTIMIZATION November 201340 MNMN November2013 Layout 32-49.indd 40MN November2013 Layout 32-49.indd 4010/28/2013 3:20:12 PM10/28/2013 3:20:12 PM