Auto-Maskin UK completes Panel Upgrade

During the annual refit of the MV Gry Maritha, which provides the vital freight and occasional passenger link to the Isles of Scily from Penzance in the UK, Auto-Maskin UK upgraded the obsolete current system to the current Marine Plus panel products.

The existing Auto-Maskin 2700 units had provided wonderful service over the last 30 years, protecting the two Volvo Penta powered generating sets on board the vessel, but in co-operation with CVS Pentapower, the Volvo dealer looking after the engines, and the management of the vessel, it was agreed that a replacement was appropriate. Auto-Maskin UK attended the vessel, and over the course of two days replaced the panels with new DCU 305 units, tested full functionality and also had critical shutdowns on the generator sets witnessed by the local LR surveyor.

"It was a challenging project initially as there were hardly any records remaining of the electrical system on the vessel, and there had been several extensive modifications of the alarm system over the course of the vessel life" reports the Auto-Maskin engineer. "It resembled a jigsaw, but no complete picture on the box to help put it together!"

Together with the help of ship's staff though, the jigsaw was completed and the installed panels with new mounting and connectivity, where required, were available on time for LRS testing. The Marine Plus panel system lends itself well to this type of installation and upgrade, having a dedicated sensor input module, allowing easy re-integration, plus a flexible mounting requirement of the display unit to fit in with current consules.