Features: - Tanker Operator
Features: - Tanker Operator
Features: - Tanker Operator
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
TECHNOLOGY - GAS DETECTION<br />
have the necessary infrastructure in place to<br />
support the equipment. The basics of this<br />
infrastructure should be authorised repair<br />
centres in place on the majority of vessel<br />
trading routes. It is important to confirm that<br />
the repair centres are authorised as this will<br />
mean they have a direct line of supply to the<br />
original equipment manufacturer for<br />
availability of spares and are regularly checked<br />
for quality of work. When required, the repair<br />
centres will have qualified technicians available<br />
to come on board and assess any problems;<br />
repair and putting systems back into<br />
commission where required. The key issue is<br />
that there will be a stock of key spares<br />
available, removing the need for the crew of<br />
shipmanagers to chase around looking for a<br />
solution to what should be readily available.<br />
Having a network of authorised repair centres<br />
will provide additional benefits. These can be<br />
significant such as a no-hassle warranty<br />
exchange programme, equipment swap-out and<br />
centralised invoicing, if required.<br />
As with any instrumentation, gas detection<br />
equipment can fail due to a number of<br />
conditions. Knowing that such a failure will<br />
be serviced or replaced at the next port of call<br />
48<br />
without delay is reassuring. The validity of the<br />
warranty claim can be assessed later; the most<br />
important aspect is not to delay the vessel.<br />
A direct link and common policy between<br />
authorised repair centres and the equipment<br />
manufacturer increases the flexibility of<br />
service. When gas detection equipment<br />
requires a non-standard repair it is often<br />
possible for the repair centre to supply a<br />
temporary loan instrument that can be<br />
swapped out at the next port of call with the<br />
repaired instrument. This prevents any<br />
problems with the vessel not having sufficient<br />
operational units on-board while retaining the<br />
familiarity of equipment usage by the crew.<br />
Advanced payment<br />
When a new customer looks to purchase parts<br />
or a service, the terms can often be payment in<br />
advance. This can be impossible to arrange for a<br />
vessel visiting port one day and leaving the<br />
next. Using an equipment manufacturer with<br />
worldwide service centres means that invoicing<br />
can all be passed through a centralised account.<br />
Again, this serves to provide the vessel with the<br />
required service without delay.<br />
As has been explained, a procurement<br />
Introducing the new range of Gas<br />
Detection instrumentation from GMI<br />
GMI have been providing Gas Detection Equipment to the Shipping Industry for over<br />
half a century. We manufacture and supply an extensive range of single-gas and<br />
multi-gas, portable and fixed gas detection systems to meet all of the following<br />
requirements . . . . and more<br />
VISIT<br />
GMI AT<br />
SMM<br />
STAND No.<br />
B1-OG-444<br />
GAS MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS LTD<br />
e-mail: marine@gmiuk.com web: www.gmiuk.com<br />
department will often select gas detection<br />
equipment primarily based on price. It is<br />
possible that this equipment can mean that the<br />
crew of the vessel will attempt to use it for<br />
applications that it was not designed for. In<br />
fact, it can introduce a dangerous situation<br />
that would not arise if using equipment<br />
designed specifically for specialist marine use.<br />
Examples of such are lack of resolution and<br />
accuracy for gas measurement in inerted tanks<br />
or the introduction of a static hazard within a<br />
cargo tank. Also, an often ignored factor is the<br />
support required to keep equipment operational.<br />
The support of authorised repair centres in ports<br />
where they are required with available<br />
technicians, spares and technical support can<br />
outweigh the initial cost savings at purchase.<br />
The motto of the story is that if you decide<br />
to purchase gas detection equipment based on<br />
selling price alone; be prepared to hear back<br />
from the crew regarding excessive costs<br />
relating to delays or being held in port. TO<br />
*This article was written by David<br />
McLafferty, formerly marketing<br />
manager, Gas Measurement<br />
Instruments Limited (GMI).<br />
GMI can provide a complete<br />
Gas Detection package:<br />
Portable Instruments<br />
Fixed Systems<br />
- Gas Sampling Systems<br />
- Addressable Detection Systems<br />
Ballast Tank Monitoring<br />
Pump Room Monitoring<br />
Confined Space Monitoring<br />
Void Space Monitoring<br />
Inert Gas Monitoring<br />
Accommodation Monitoring<br />
for<br />
for<br />
OIL TANKERS<br />
CHEMICAL TANKERS<br />
LIQUIFIED GAS CARRIERS<br />
BULK CARGO CARRIERS<br />
REFRIGERATED CARGOES<br />
GMI Head Office:<br />
Inchinnan Business Park,<br />
Renfrew, PA4 9RG<br />
Scotland, U.K.<br />
Tel: +44 (0) 141-812 3211<br />
Fax: +44 (0) 141-812 7820<br />
TANKER<strong>Operator</strong> � August/September 2008
Change language