How can you ensure that your marine engineering projects are resilient to changing conditions?

Resilience and continued service of marine engineering projects starts with design. The risks involved in the life cycle, weather, sea conditions, quality and ability of operators, type of usage (percentage of extreme vs moderate vs occasional) all must be factored in so that design mitigates the degree of degradation over service. All that is not predictable and cannot be designed for has to be compensated by a well planned preventive/predictive maintenance system , so that the project and its fixed assets are monitored adequately for health and fitness for service. Risks can be assessed through many available softwares and planning tools, the suitability of each one depending on past experience, suitability and of course, cost.

Obtain as much information from a wide range of sources. Consider the merits of external research to risk manage. Weigh up the costs of consultation with the downside of embarrassment. When you have a budget spend it wisely.

Designing resilient marine engineering projects involves several key aspects: Robust Design: Create structures and systems that can withstand varying environmental conditions, such as changing sea levels, currents, and weather patterns. Adaptability: Incorporate flexible designs that can adapt to changing conditions. This might involve using modular structures or systems that can be modified or expanded as needed. Thorough Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities early on in the project. Conduct thorough risk assessments to understand how these factors might impact the project's success.

Keep the HUMANS on board!!!!! AI will not react well to chaos. Humans have had hundreds of millennia to adapt. For the Humans, please don't rely on the past to reassure you of the future, what happened once May never happen again.

As an HSEQ Manager in the offshore vessel support industry, I've learned the importance of robust design firsthand. A notable experience was when unexpected harsh sea conditions led to equipment failures. This incident prompted us to re-evaluate our design approach, focusing on using corrosion-resistant materials and integrating redundancy for critical systems. These changes significantly enhanced the resilience and reliability of our vessels, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring continuous operation even in challenging conditions. This practical experience underlines the necessity of designing with real-world scenarios in mind, ensuring our projects are well-equipped to handle the dynamic marine environment.

As only a temp Chief Mate during the Vietnam War I can only guess vibration is caused by a damaged prop or bearing on the tail shaft. if serious then drydocking is a must. USMMA grad but not engineering degree.

Again, I'll speak to AI implementation across our industry. It is a Tsunami that us diligent engineering folks should know and understand. We should use this new tool and understand how and why it works. We all know how a light switch works, but seldom few of us know why it works. We must be diligent.

Management of a project already in service will primarily be dependent on the quality of the maintenance , which can be preventive or predictive. One key word here is 'adaptive'. While all maintenance programs are designed at the start, and to the best of the designers/maker's ability to forecast problems, the continued health of a project and its optimum functioning will depend on the adaptability of the project operators to constant tweak the asset/project management program to changing conditions. Environmental conditions change, so do operating conditions(for example, greater use of tugs in a port due to increased sizes of vessels, shorter turnaround time etc).The tug/support vessel maintenance program will have to adapt accordingly.

Feedback matters wherever a project has to be fit for a long periods, i.e. resilient. Considering the above example of a support vessel maintenance project for large port, the feedback from vessels, pilots, tug operators, etc must be regularly and diligently vetted for symptoms, trends and the outcome should be refinements in the maintenance program, which can be use of better monitoring methods/technologies, changes in frequencies of monitoring, or altogether new tasks in the maintenance, and finally new procedures to be followed, for better efficiencies.

Don't use AI to speak on your behalf to Humans!!!! They will know... My generation loves AI, I am a Xennial. The most influential people in the world are nearly uniformly xennials. We are learning AI quickly and are learning to beware and to spot it.

In my role, fostering a culture of innovation and learning has been pivotal. We regularly organize brainstorming sessions where team members from diverse backgrounds share insights, leading to innovative solutions. For instance, a suggestion from a junior engineer led to the development of a more efficient emergency response protocol. We also invest in regular training, ensuring our team is adept with the latest technologies and best practices. This culture not only enhances project resilience but also empowers our team to continuously improve and adapt to new challenges in the marine environment.

This is the check in the PDCA cycle, and while there are many ways to review, such as data collection, rigorous analysis of collected data by neutral experts, feedback from makers/OEMs, used case studies etc, the outcome of the review must be new processes in the quality or procedures manual, to be followed for better performance. This review is continuous activity, review for improvement must be a constant pursuit, so that standards do not slip. Audits are one review method, but there can be multiple review processes, used singlyor in combination keeping the goal, which is better resilience of the project, in mind.

Regarding the subject of ensuring that marine engineering products are resilient to changing conditions, I think that a special consideration should be made for naval ships. Naval warfare has evolved to becoming incredibly dynamic and fluid in modern years. Gone are the ages where technological threats and systems could be identified and predicted to not evolve significantly through conflicts. This brings up the need to design the future naval assets with high adaptability, upgradeability and operational versatility in mind. Having powerful, single-mission focused warships is no longer enough. Operational flexibility in the modern battlefield will be vital in bringing in the new age of warship technology.

Adaptive Design - In marine engineering, adaptability is key. Design projects with flexibility to accommodate changing sea conditions and climate patterns. It's like building a ship that can adjust its sails to different winds, ensuring it remains robust and efficient in varied environments. Continuous Monitoring and Innovation - Regularly monitor and update engineering solutions. This approach is akin to a navigator constantly checking their compass and adjusting the course. Stay abreast of technological advancements and integrate them into projects, ensuring they remain resilient against evolving challenges.