BackgroundTo comply with current EU regulations and prevent overfishing, each member state of the European Union has to ensure their fishing fleet can provide accurate information about the engine power of each operator’s vessel. Usually, the engine power is recorded in KWs as part of the vessel’s registration and licence.
The EU’s Common Fisheries Policy was established to regulate various aspects of fisheries management and control, including the engine power verification measures, aimed at confirming the declared engine power of a vessel. These must include actual testing of engine power of representative of a sample of fishing vessels in each member state. The law states it is anoffence to provide incorrect information, or to fish with a vessel where the power is different than that stated in the respective operator’s license. Therefore, a sample of the fishing vessels in each Member State has been selected following a risk assessment, to be tested for actual engine power.
RDA Shiptech
The ClientRDA Shiptech specialise in the analysis of marine diesel engines with a proven track record in trouble shooting and engine condition monitoring. Based in Drachten, The Netherlands, they work with many leading companies within the shipping industry, includingStena Line, Holland America Line, Amasus Shipping and Vroon Ship Management, to name a few.
RDA Shiptech also delivers marine engine inspection and performance analysis services to a wide variety of clients and deliver a range of services including remote visual inspection (i.e. borescope inspection), engine performance testing, and prop and Intermediate drive shaft power measurement.
The ChallengeAs RDA Shiptech are recognised by various authorities in Member States, it has been contracted to verify the engine power output of fishing vessels, on their behalf, and ensure on-going compliance with relevant regulations.
Previously, the company used to employ third-party providers to perform actual shaft power measurement onboard newly built vessels and those already in service. However, the team recognised the necessity of bringing this service in house, to guarantee the quality and the reliability of the measurements, offering a cost-effective turn-key solution.
SolutionWhen RDA Shiptech decided to bring shaft power measurement in house, they undertook an extensive market analysis on
existing systems and equipment. As they had previous experience with using Datum Shaft Power Measurement kits in the past, they knew them to be robust and highly reliable.
For this project, a practical decision was made to utilise three separate Shaft Power Measurement kits, proven to survive the harsh environment encountered during this type of work.
ImpactHaving three SPMK systems to hand, RDA Shiptech are now able to standardise the engine power verification measurement results from multiple fishing vessels and exchange spare parts, if required. These two additional elements improve the reliability and quality control of their services, making their operating more predictable and manageable.
Providing shaft power measurement in house ensures the company doesn’t have to rely on availability from third parties, which has sped up the verification process. Reporting, quality and reliability have all improved due to the high accuracy of Datum Electronics shaft power measurement kits, helping RDA Shiptech become the authority in engine verification and compliance with marine regulations.
