Marinelec Technologies recently supported the refit of two cable-laying vessels as part of projects carried out in France and internationally.
From Brest to Calais and as far as Curaçao, these projects demonstrate Marinelec Technologies’ ability to apply its technical expertise across multiple vessels and in different operational environments, all with the same objective: to modernise safety systems whilst adapting to the specific requirements of each vessel.
Expertise applied across several vessels
Both projects involved the modernisation of the on-board fire detection and alarm transmission systems.
Marinelec Technologies supplied and integrated several pieces of equipment:
- a Phoenix_V2 addressable fire detection control panel
- a touchscreen fire detection supervisor
- an interface control unit for controlling third-party equipment
- a UHF alarm transmission system.
The installations were modernised whilst retaining certain existing equipment, notably through interfacing with the monitoring system already in place on board.
This approach draws on Marinelec Technologies’ design capabilities and practical experience to take into account the configuration of each installation and the equipment being retained.
From Brest to Curaçao: a multi-site operation
One of the challenges of these projects lay in their geographical scope. The work was carried out in Brest, Calais and Curaçao, with different operational constraints at each site.
In Brest and Calais, the work was completed in a total of four days, during a short period of technical downtime.
This approach relies on thorough preparation prior to the operations and on the coordination of Marinelec Technologies’ commercial and technical teams.
On older and specialised installations, technical issues may also arise during the works. The teams’ responsiveness then enables them to adapt to conditions on the ground and continue operations within the agreed timeframe.
Solutions tailored to existing systems
Ship retrofitting is not simply a matter of replacing equipment. It involves understanding the existing installation, identifying the necessary interfaces and ensuring compatibility between the new equipment and the systems retained on board.
On these two cable-laying vessels, Marinelec Technologies has therefore combined new equipment with the integration of existing systems.
This approach makes it possible, in particular, to ensure the long-term viability of safety systems, improve their reliability and facilitate their maintenance, whilst meeting the applicable regulatory requirements.
It addresses a problem encountered on many vessels: certain safety equipment is reaching the end of its service life, whilst its manufacturer no longer exists or no longer offers a range approved for the maritime sector.
A collaboration that is gaining momentum
These two projects build on an existing collaboration on smaller-scale projects.
They demonstrate Marinelec Technologies’ ability to support larger-scale projects and reinforce its experience in retrofitting large vessels across a variety of operational contexts.
Marinelec’s expertise in the field
Design, technical expertise, responsiveness and support are at the heart of Marinelec Technologies’ approach to retrofit projects.
These two projects illustrate the company’s ability to coordinate the various stages of a project and to support its clients directly in the field.
