Page 39: of Marine News Magazine (December 2014)

TECHNOLOGYium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites plus 10 in-orbit backup satellites. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network, is the larg- est commercial satellite constellation in the world and is the only Satellite network providing worldwide coverage. Data compression and proprietary messaging formats keep data bandwidth requirements/byte counts low and cost effective over Satellite networks. Normally reporting 8 to 10 engine parameters/engine at a user selected time period to the web tier, the system can provide for engine data capture and recording for many more engine func- tions. This data is captured and stored at no cost but can be supplied when higher resolution data is required. The system can store up to 60,000 position reports and engine data at a polling rate of up to one report per second. This stored data can be requested and reported to the webpage (for any date, time period, or all data). Over time, the need to send data can evolve, says Axcell, explaining, ?For Solent Towage, the decision to install gplink was originally taken in order to provide a solution to a local- ized problem concerning only one of our vessels. Since then, however, we have grown to appreciate gplink as a useful man- agement tool, used primarily from a remote of ce location. That said; the Chief Engineers on-board have full password access to the website and also use the system to aid in reduc- ing fuel consumption during speci c operating conditions.? OEM Agnostic, Workboat Friendly The system provides utility over a wide range of engines. gplink?s Webb says, ?We are moving into more and more en- gine types, and we can hook up our units on engines where we are able to get a J1939 or J1587 connection. We current- ly have units installed in Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU, and are planning installs in Wärtsilä, Rolls Royce, and more.? Beyond this, gplink is also proving its value as the regula- tory noose gets tighter. Webb explains, ?We are also able to assist our customers with emerging challenges. For example, our dealer in the United Kingdom came to us last summer and detailed the new requirements for all commercial ves- sels for SEEMP reporting. This requires year over year fuel and footprint improvements. In the span of 60 days we were able to work with our UK customers to provide the report- ing needs. This is just one example of how we are able to morph the system to serve our customer needs.? With a customer base as wide as their OEM penetration, gplink is poised for real growth as the advantages of re- mote monitoring become more transparent. Webb reports, ?Commercial brown water applications can be found on everything from several New York ferry  eets, numerous Push/Tug boats running barges up and down the Missis- sippi (and other inland waterways), Great Lakes ferries and workboats, and even Amazon River boats operating in the jungles of Peru.? Also according to Webb, gplink?s current business load is split between pleasure craft/charter vessels (55%), commercial tugs (40%), and the rest primarily be- ing used by land based generator operators. Looking AheadThe possibilities presented by remote monitoring are literally endless. For Simon Axcell, the question now is probably not ?what can it do for us,? but instead, ?when can we get it set it up?? ?Time and cost saving from te- dious cargo surveys was the obvious immediate gain fol- lowing the installation,? he insists, but added, ?Since then, however we have used to system to pin-point inef cient operating conditions and have adjusted our procedures to ?We are moving into more and more engine types, and we can hook up our units on engines where we are able to get a J1939 or J1587 connection. We currently have units installed in Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU, and are planning installs in Wärtsilä, Rolls Royce, and more.? ? Dan Webb, gplink Manager www.marinelink.com MN 39MN Dec14 Layout 32-49.indd 39MN Dec14 Layout 32-49.indd 3911/25/2014 11:08:35 AM11/25/2014 11:08:35 AM