Modernising propulsion system meters has become essential for extending the life of marine control systems, especially in vessels operating in challenging environments like the Arctic.
GBS Group Delivers Marine Engineering Solutions for NOAA
Founded in 2006 and based in Virginia Beach, The GBS Group is a full-service engineering firm specialising in marine engineering solutions, transportation systems and government projects.
Its maritime division, comprising experts in controls, navigation and automation, has successfully integrated advanced systems for both commercial and federal fleets.
In 2018, GBS was selected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to overhaul the propulsion control system on the NOAA Fairweather, a 231-foot Arctic Class oceanographic ship. The vessel’s ageing controls were no longer supported by the manufacturer, creating operational and maintenance challenges.
Upgrading the Propulsion System Meters
The Fairweather’s propulsion system had four control stations – located in the pilot house, both bridge wings, and the engine room.
GBS engineers replaced the throttle and bow thruster meter systems with new hardware, all linked to a central PLC that interfaced with the ship’s existing propulsion equipment.
Digital Displays for Critical Data
To enhance situational awareness, legacy analog meters were replaced with our SGD 24-M-IP420 waterproof, programmable digital meters. These now provide real-time readouts of:
- Port and starboard main engine shaft speeds
- Main propeller pitch positions
- Bow thruster engine RPM
- Bow thruster propeller pitch positions
Why PanelPilot Was the Ideal Choice
The SGD 24-M-IP420, configurable for propulsion system meter applications, stood out for its:
- Full programmability via PanelPilot M software, allowing clear, customisable data displays with user-selected colours, labels and scaling
- Marine-grade durability with an IP67-rated enclosure for harsh conditions
- Right-angle pigtail cable for easy integration into compact control panels
- Support for 4-20mA analogue input, ensuring compatibility with existing marine sensors
- USB configuration, simplifying setup and deployment
The meters needed to be dimmable in three of the control stations, as this is a critical feature in the maritime world.
– Ron Donston, Senior Controls Engineer
To meet this requirement, PanelPilot worked with GBS to create a custom dimming function (controlled through one of the meter’s analogue inputs) to ensure visibility in varying ambient light conditions.
Seamless Integration and Testing
Before installation, GBS assembled and interconnected the entire propulsion control system in its Virginia lab. Factory Acceptance Testing was conducted to ensure operational integrity before shipment to Juneau, Alaska.
Within five weeks, the new system was installed, tested at sea and approved for Arctic deployment. These upgraded propulsion system meters ensured precision control and monitoring during the Fairweather’s Arctic sea trials.
The ship’s force was very pleased with the responsiveness, accuracy and speed of the new system.
Versatility Reduces Onboard Spares
One of the greatest advantages of the PanelPilot propulsion system meters is flexibility. The same display unit can be reprogrammed for different roles; minimising spare inventory requirements while ensuring compatibility across multiple shipboard locations.
In addition to the customised dimming function, the most useful feature of the PanelPilot meters is the ability to configure the units for many different parameters and display configurations.
In summary: By integrating programmable digital propulsion system meters, GBS Group delivered a cost-effective, durable, and adaptable control solution – ensuring NOAA Fairweather remains mission-ready in the Arctic.