Workboat efficiency system funding awarded to Exeter-based consultancy

Exeter based consultancy, Safeguard Nautica Ltd as a part of a consortium have been awarded grant funding from InnovateUK to develop a workboat efficiency system specifically  optimised for the Small Commercial Vessel sector. 

The benefits of embracing efficient and sustainable marine operations are becoming increasingly important as the industry strives for cost savings and emission reductions. In a sector characterised by diverse fleets operated by small and medium sized companies it is less viable for operators to assign resources to analyse and optimise efficiency of the fleet.

The ability to collect data autonomously and apply it to deliver fuel and operational cost savings has never been greater and in an effort to realise this potential for operators, O&M consultants Safeguard Nautica have joined forces with a UK based marine contractor and specialist engineering consultancy to develop an affordable solution.

A novel maintenance codification system realising the benefits of Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) for smaller vessels, a user-friendly operating system and an autonomous SCADA monitoring system will be developed over a 30 month project awarded funding by

InnovateUK under the Vessel Efficiency II: Better Systems at Sea competition.

With this funding support the consortium will consult with the industry, design, develop and test the vessel monitoring system.