UK-based Seacat Services has installed remote monitoring technology on its entire fleet of catamarans.
The 14 vessels have been kitted out with Reygar’s BareFLEET system to give Seacat deeper insight into the operational performance of its vessels, enabling improved safety and technical availability to benefit crews and clients in the offshore wind and other marine sectors.
The monitoring system has been integrated with existing sensors and equipment and will be used to monitor key variables, including navigation data, vessel motion and the performance of engines and other critical machinery.
Seacat Services will be able to view a live feed of this data from its fleet operations centre in Cowes. Critical alerts – such as an engine alarm – will be flagged instantly to shore-based personnel.
As the volume of data collected by the system increases, Seacat will conduct trend analysis, condition monitoring and preventative maintenance, enabling the operations team to detect and address developing faults in critical components before they result in failure or unscheduled vessel downtime.
BareFLEET is integrated with the cloud-based crew and fleet management software Seacat Services is using, directing all data required for safe and effective crew management into one place.
Seacat Services managing director Ian Baylis said: “We’ve seen the wide-ranging benefits that digitalisation of operations has had for turbine owners and operators – and it’s time for the vessel market to follow suit by showing a commitment to matching these higher operational standards.”
He added: “Our investment in BareFLEET will not only enable us to protect our most important assets – our masters, crews and the vessels they operate – but also ensure that our customers get maximum value from the boats they have under charter.
“As these digital systems become increasingly integrated, there is huge potential for cross-collaboration throughout the supply chain that ultimately helps us to change the way offshore wind farms are developed, built and serviced.”
Reygar managing director Chris Huxley Reynard said: “The advantage of a fully digital approach to vessel monitoring is that the value and efficacy of the system continues to increase as more and more data is collected.
“The comprehensive nature of information gathered by BareFLEET, encompassing motion, navigation, fuel efficiency, engine health, vibration and DPR data – and the quick, effective way in which this is all presented – provides Seacat and their customers an unparalleled level of insight into their fleet operations.”
He added: “While Seacat Services will see immediate benefits from integrating BareFLEET onto its vessels, it is the first step in a process of incremental improvement that aligns very closely with their ethos of being a leader in the offshore wind vessel market.
“We look forward to working closely with Ian and his team as they continue to innovate and realise the benefits of digitalisation in the coming weeks and months.”