Seacat Services Digitizes Its Fleet

U.K.-based offshore energy support vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services has installed advanced remote monitoring systems across its fleet in an effort to glean a new level of insight into the operational performance of its vessels.

‘Digitalization’ of operational practices, coupling remote data collection with advanced monitoring, is gaining pace as offshore wind firms throughout the supply chain aim to keep tabs on the performance of project critical infrastructure, optimize O&M and construction procedures, extend asset lifetimes and bring down the levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

To date, much of this investment in digital technologies has been focused on turbines and transmission, but there is now an emphasis on leading OESV operators to match this level of sophistication with more advanced vessel monitoring. While monitoring of key variables such as vessel motion, vibration, navigation and engine performance is common practice, increasing the efficiency of reporting, and pulling this performance data into one place, is essential to inform more effective fleet-wide decision making.

Seacat Services has rolled out the BareFLEET system, developed by Reygar, across its entire fleet of 14 catamarans, each fitted with an ‘always-on’ data connection. The system has been integrated with existing sensors and equipment and will be used to monitor key variables, including navigation data, vessel motion and the performance of engines and other critical machinery.

Seacat Services will be able to view the data live from its fleet operations center in Cowes, allowing the business to keep tabs at all times on the performance of its vessels in the field. Critical alerts – such as an engine alarm – will be flagged instantly to shore-based personnel, leading to immediate action.

As the volume of data collected by the system increases, Seacat Services will conduct trend analysis, condition monitoring and preventative maintenance, enabling the operations team to detect and address developing faults in critical components before they result in failure or unscheduled vessel downtime.

The system will also improve the capacity of Seacat Services for efficient, regular reporting from the field. By making use of Reygar’s Digital Daily Progress Report (DDPR) mechanism, masters and crews will be able to quickly log completion of key safety procedures such as drills and toolbox talks. BareFLEET is now integrated with CrewSmart – the cloud-based crew and fleet management software Seacat Services is using – bringing all of the data required for safe, effective crew management into one place.

“We’ve seen the wide-ranging benefits that digitalization of operations has had for turbine owners and operators – and it’s time for the vessel market to follow suit by showing a commitment to matching these higher operational standards,” said Ian Baylis, Managing Director, Seacat Services.

“Our investment in BareFLEET will not only enable us to protect our most important assets – our masters, crews and the vessels they operate – but also ensure that our customers get maximum value from the boats they have under charter. As these digital systems become increasingly integrated, there is huge potential for cross-collaboration throughout the supply chain that ultimately helps us to change the way offshore wind farms are developed, built and serviced.”

Chris Huxley Reynard, Managing Director, Reygar Ltd., added, “The advantage of a fully digital approach to vessel monitoring is that the value and efficacy of the system continues to increase as more and more data is collected. The comprehensive nature of information gathered by BareFLEET, encompassing motion, navigation, fuel efficiency, engine health, vibration and DPR data – and the quick, effective way in which this is all presented – provides Seacat and their customers an unparalleled level of insight into their fleet operations.”

“While Seacat Services will see immediate benefits from integrating BareFLEET onto its vessels, this is just the first step in a process of incremental improvement that aligns very closely with their ethos of being a leader in the offshore wind vessel market. We look forward to working closely with Ian and his team as they continue to innovate and realize the benefits of digitalization in the coming weeks and months.”