GEAR | UK builder orders remote engine monitoring systems for nine new pilot boats

Norfolk-based Goodchild Marine Services has placed an order for nine asset tracking and management systems from local technology company Applied Satellite Technology (AST).

Under the £9 million (US$12.6 million) contract, AST will equip nine Goodchild-built fast pilot boats with its proprietary tracking system that will enable engineering and operational teams to read engine data remotely, 24 hours a day.

AST said near real-time performance metrics will allow boat operators shoreside to view engine parameters, receive email alerts, and compare fleet vessels against each other, thus enabling more efficient vessel maintenance and management. Access to engine data will also help facilitate early preventive maintenance.

Operational teams can also be notified when a vessel enters or exits a port. Further, recent and historic reports can be downloaded easily from an online portal.

The portal will allow the boats’ operators to monitor engine data parameters including temperature, pressure, boost, CO2 levels, and fuel consumption. These same parameters may also be configured to trigger email alerts when thresholds are exceeded.

Through the same portal, engine data will be available as tables and charts and may be downloaded in either CSV or PDF format.

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