Problem Statement

The owner of a high-performance Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) approached us to diagnose the cause of increased vibrations on the vessel’s port engine. Both the port and starboard engines had operated for 4000 hours since their last overhaul, and all standard engine parameters appeared normal, leaving the source of the vibration unidentified.

To quickly address the issue, we deployed the Vib360 System on both engines for continuous real-time monitoring. Almost immediately, the system provided critical insights. Although all engine parameters, including lube oil pressure, were normal, the Vib360 system flagged the main bearings on the port engine as being in Red condition, indicating that urgent action was required. Throughout the first week of monitoring, the Red condition persisted across all main bearings on the port engine, despite normal readings from other parameters. This consistency in data prompted a deeper investigation into the root cause of the vibrations.

Investigation

Using the data collected from the Vib360 system, we concluded that the vibrations were likely originating from the propeller shaft, rather than the engine itself. Based on our analysis, we recommended an underwater inspection of the vessel’s propeller. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the tips of the propeller blades were damaged, likely due to a grounding incident. The vessel was immediately docked for repairs, and the damaged propeller blades were restored. A detailed crankcase inspection was also performed, confirming that no damage had occurred to any engine bearings

Impact

The prompt identification of the abnormal vibrations by the Vib360 system and the subsequent underwater inspection prevented what could have been catastrophic damage. If the vibrations had gone unnoticed, the main bearings on the engine and the Azimuth Z-Peller thrusters could have suffered significant damage, leading to costly repairs and extended downtime.

By addressing the issue early:

1. Potential engine and thruster damage was averted.
2. The vessel was able to resume operations after a brief docking period, minimizing operational disruption.
3. The OSV owner saved considerable costs in repair and potential downtime.

Conclusion

The Vib360 System once again demonstrated its critical role in early fault detection, providing actionable insights that allowed for swift intervention. By detecting abnormal vibrations that were overlooked by conventional monitoring systems, the Vib360 helped prevent significant damage, ensuring operational continuity and protecting valuable assets for the OSV owner.