Ad-hoc cuts to the maintenance budget often result in unreliable vessels. Short term savings do not result in long term gain.

Good maintenance practice avoids accelerated wear and prevents catastrophic failure but marine engineers continue to face problems in the field of condition based monitoring.

In the case of oil analysis, regular checks are difficult with the vessel often in distant locations.

Vessels could carry a set of oil analysis tools but skilled staff is required to make such testing meaningful. The introduction of the ANALEXrs remote sensor range delivers online instruments designed to put lubricant and machine condition information in the hands of the engineer real-time. Aimed at critical fluids, the range includes total ferrous wear degree, particle content, oil condition, and moisture sensors which enhance the root cause monitoring approach to reliability.

Kittiwake managing director Chris Leigh-Jones said, 'Remote online sensor technology is the way forward in the 21st century for the marine industry. It improves the overall analysis process, allowing for accurate trending through more consistent and frequent measurements which can only result in a more profitable and proactive maintenance strategy.'

MJInformation No: 22254