Wärtsilä launches Sea-Master shaft monitoring system

The Wärtsilä Sea-Master system monitors shaft bearings and seals, collecting real-time data from the tail shaft and providing insights into the operational health of the shaft line. The system is available for all ship types and for retrofit as well as newbuild applications.

Matthew Bignell, sales development manager, Wärtsilä Seals & Bearings, said: “The Wärtsilä Sea-Master is an example of how digitalisation can advance the maintenance of propulsion technology. Our customers will have a window into the operational health of the vessel’s shaft line and gain knowledge about, for instance, the wear rates of the equipment. This allows for more accurate maintenance planning and reduces vessel downtime.”

The system will also enable customers to take a long-term view on their shaft line systems and to ensure regulatory compliance, Wärtsilä noted. The system will be presented at Wärtsilä’s Digital Lounge (B6.312) during SMM Hamburg on 6- 9 September.

Tail shaft monitoring has become increasingly important following recent decisions by major class societies to extend the time between overhauls for seawater lubricated shaft bearings, provided their condition is monitored.