Managing maintenance and tracking machine health can be a daunting task. If not performed correctly, ship operators face significant setbacks and potential losses. Fortunately, CM provides ship owners with a safety net and ensures maximum possible uptime and lower costs over the ship’s lifecycle. The emphasis is now shifting towards software-as-a-service, with the goal being to roll out comprehensive and standardized machine condition monitoring.
Acting on the available data
But what do you do with the data collected from machinery and equipment? Ship operators need a clear view of all the information to support their decision making. New software aims to make this possible. Data from sensors and handheld devices can be instantly transferred to software via the cloud for analysis. This can then be arranged into easy-to-understand dashboards.
Software platforms with role-based access can target different users, such as chief engineers or fleet managers, with the relevant information. This is divided into individual tasks for crew members, ensuring everyone involved can take the right actions at the right time.
Safety is another important consideration while at sea. Effective CBM increases operational safety, reducing the possibility of accidents or breakdowns. Having clear data to analyze and act upon simplifies maintenance planning and maximizes the uptime of vessels.
From reactive to proactive
CM software, such as SKF Enlight Centre, enables data to be accessed from anywhere, regardless of the location of each vessel. The software is incredibly user friendly, making results easy to understand through color coding. This means anyone can use it, effectively – even if they are not an analytics expert. It also enables fleets to be connected with onshore facilities that can provide additional support to the crew. Experts on land analyze the raw data to compile a list of actionable maintenance recommendations. With this guidance, crew members can carry out the necessary work much faster and prevent breakdowns.
But CM software also supports proactive maintenance. For example, the SKF Enlight Centre keeps a record of all recommended maintenance actions for a specific asset. This information can then be used to obtain a better understanding of recurring problems and prevent them from happening in the future. Furthermore, the software shows which machine data needs to be collected over the coming days and weeks and provides suggestions for future maintenance work.
By taking a proactive approach to maintenance, ship operators are in a better position to ensure their vessel’s reliability and make considerable cost savings, thus increasing their competitive edge. Software like the SKF Enlight Centre, in combination with onshore support, provides a clear overview of asset conditions and simplifies planning.