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Calling it "the next logical step in marine technology", Crowley Maritime Corporation is installing Cat Asset Intelligence software on one of its vessels.

The tugboat Guide, a ship-assist vessel operating out of Seattle, is being fitted with a custom vessel monitoring and diagnostics solution, which will keep watch over its main engines, generators, thrusters and critical systems 24/7.

While completely automated from data capture through analysis and advisory recommendations for each piece of equipment, the Caterpillar Marine Asset Intelligence team will provide advisory and management reports including recommendations for individual equipment, as well as additional ways Crowley can save money and incrementally improve operations.

"It's a robust system that does all the key monitoring and analysis we need," commented Bill Metcalf, Vice President of Strategic Engineering for Crowley Maritime. "We're looking at it as the next level of management and optimization, and we want to see how it can help us increase reliability, safety and efficiency onboard our vessels."

Unlike technologies that only monitor engine performance, Cat Asset Intelligence services provide monitoring and diagnostics for an entire vessel, including many of its critical operating systems. Dedicated Fleet Advisors then use the aggregated data and automated analytics to provide customers, such as Crowley, with actionable advisories to increase vessel productivity and improve equipment management.

"It's very scalable and customizable. That's one of the things we liked about this technology," remarked Metcalf. "Plus, Cat Asset Intelligence will monitor and analyze anything - not just Cat products. That was a big selling point as we, like many others, have a wide variety of equipment that is critical to our success."

With the software monitoring and analyzing Guide's key systems, Crowley Maritime expects to see value in a number of areas.

"It can give us early warning of a catastrophic failure so we can schedule maintenance. It can save us time and money during the inspection process. It can help us keep our vessels and people out of harm's way," Metcalf said. "We're also looking at fuel savings. That's not likely to be a big issue on Guide, because of its size and application, but it could be huge for our larger vessels."

On smaller vessels like Guide, which operate with a limited crew, Cat Asset Intelligence software's remote monitoring capabilities are said to play a critical role.

"Guide is a four-man boat, which means the chief engineer also serves as a deckhand when he's on duty," Metcalf explained. "This technology will make his job easier. And as it's accessible for our engineering staff, adding another set of eyes on the vessel, another level of comfort for the captain and operations team."

Crowley Maritime has established a governance committee to analyze the software's performance onboard Guide and, if it proves valuable, hopes to expand vessel monitoring and diagnostics to other ships in its fleet.

"We consider Crowley Maritime an important partner, and we're working through the Cat Asset Intelligence journey together," commented Leslie Bell-Friedel, Global Business Manager for Caterpillar Marine Asset Intelligence. "There's a real team mentality in place to ensure they get as much value from this technology as possible."

Metcalf is confident the addition of Cat Asset Intelligence technology will help Crowley Maritime maintain and enhance its reputation as a leader in the areas of safety, reliability and efficiency.

"Caterpillar has been a good partner with Crowley for many years, and they've been at this for a long time," he said. "This process is in place in mines and factories. It's the next logical step in marine technology, and we want to be early adopters if it adds value."