Controls & Monitoring
Controls and monitoring systems use sensors, automation, and software to provide real-time data and remote management for vessel operation. This ranges from engine performance and cargo handling to navigation and safety. Properly installed and maintained controls and monitoring systems help improve efficiency, compliance, and crew/asset protection through integrated platforms that collect, display, and analyze operational data for better decision-making and predictive maintenance.
We have years of experience installing marine control and monitoring systems. Although primarily focused on monitoring and control of electrical systems, we also install Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based systems for nearly any onboard parameters. These can be for generator and engine temperatures as well as pressures or bilges that require monitoring and control. For most situations, we can provide installations and support on multiple NMEA2000 solutions such as those provided by Maretron, Actisense and many other popular brands. With NMEA2000 products offering hundreds of data collection options from wind sensors to pitch/roll gyro’s, most requirements can be solved with an off the shelf solutions. For more complex monitor and control situations, where a NMEA2000 solution would be limited, we can design, install and support Siemens S7-1200 based PLC systems.
Detailed Example
On this installation, a direct analog to digital conversion was accomplished using a combination of Actisense and Maretron equipment to monitor and display the following:
- Engine RPM’s
- Engine Turbo Exhaust Gas Temperatures
- Engine Fuel Flow / Consumption Rates
- Alternator Voltages
- Engine Transmission Pressures
- Engine Coolant Temperatures
Another Detailed Example
This installation was another instance of a customer wishing to digitalize an older analog engine monitoring system. Monitoring of the vessels electrical and hydraulic systems were also required, with control of loads in both manual and automatic modes. The complex requirements were such that a Siemens S7 programmable logic controller (PLC) was chosen as the platform, and all programming was performed by Petrel Marine. The implementation of a P.L.C enabled the usage of industrial 5-20mA/0-10VDC sensors for monitoring, and then to be able to control other systems based off these values. This can all be customized per the captain’s/owner’s requirements.
On completion of the project, the owner requested speed control of the wipers, engine room temp monitoring and Flybridge lighting control. All of this was a simple case of programming, as the installation allowed for future expansion.
